YORK, S.C. — A house fire that tore through a home in York on Sunday claimed three lives according to the York County Coroner's Office. A family friend identified the victims as a father and his two daughters, ages two and three.
The coroner's office said the fire happened along Barron Park in York. The three victims were taken to Piedmont Medical Center in Rock Hill, where the coroner was called to investigate their deaths.
The three victims were identified as 27-year-old Bryan Patton Jr., 3-year-old Malayah Patton, and 2-year-old Milani Patton. WCNC Charlotte has asked both the coroner's office and the York Police Department to confirm if all three victims are related to one another.
"BJ showed so much love, accommodation of motherly and father love for his two girls, and it’s a sad, sad day for the family," family member Kathy Hughes told WCNC Charlotte.
The coroner's office said both autopsy and toxicology reports have been completed, and that the deaths remain under investigation by York police, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED), and the South Carolina State Fire Marshal.
Wednesday, SLED confirmed its arson unit had been requested to assist in the investigation.
WCNC Charlotte will update this story with any new information provided by authorities.
A memorial for those who were lost in the fire was growing outside of the house on Tuesday.
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