A house fire at 690 Walbridge Road in Harborcreek killed all three people inside at the time. Two of the victims were children. 

Aidan and Jake Waldinger, ages four and three, and their grandfather, John Amacher, 68, died from fire-related causes according to Deputy Coroner Korac Timon.

The fire started just after 1am on Sunday and the home was fully involved when crews arrived at the scene, according to Fairfield Hose Company Fire Chief Jim Hawryliw.   

"There were several victims found inside the house, so our first primary goal was to try and get the victims out," Hawryliw said.

But the fire proved fatal, and the family's pet dog also died in the fire.

Pennsylvania State Police investigating the scene on Sunday say the house and the RV parked in front are both a total loss.

In battling the fire, the cold weather and snow presented extra challenges for crews.

"One of the hydrants was frozen due to the ice and basically just the extreme temperatures," said Hawryliw.

Neighbors made the 911 call when they smelled smoke, but by then, the house was already ablaze.

"I thought they were having a bonfire in the back, so I looked there. But I could tell where the bonfire area was and it wasn't that. Then I looked at the house and the back of it was on fire," said Shayla McCormick, a next-door neighbor whose house suffered some minor damage.

"It's really scary that can happen," said Pedro Reyes, McCormick's brother. "People sleeping and a fire just starts out of nowhere."

Tori Navejas was visiting the McCormick and Reyes at the time. Navejas lived in the home at 690 Walbridge Road for eight years and snapped the photo (above) of the house ablaze.

"It's so weird to see it gone," Navejas said.

PA State Police and the Fire Marshal Units are still investigating the cause. They do not believe the cause of the fire to be suspicious.

Fairfield, Lawrence Park, Harborcreek, Weslyville, Brookside, Belle Valley, North East, and Kuhl Hose crews responded to the scene.

If you would like to help: Relatives have set up a donation fund for the family to assist with funeral costs for the two boys, Jake and Aidan. Donations can be made at any Erie Federal Credit Union, under the "Jake and Aidan Fund."