Current Erie Fire Department Chief Leonard Trott and former Chief Guy Santone have decades of experience as firefighters, but nothing even comes close to the magnitude of this particular night.

"Probably one of the worst nights of my life," Trott said. "Definitely the worst night I've ever had on Erie Fire Department in 28 years."

"That was the worst fire tragedy that I've ever experienced," Santone said.

It was five years ago on August 11, 2019, an early Sunday morning where crews were called to 1248 West 11th Street just after 1 a.m.

The home was operating as a 24-hour daycare, where witnesses said they heard cries for help, as young children were trapped inside the burning home.

Five children lost their lives that night.

"You give it your everything, and we still lost five kids," Trott said.

Trott was a lieutenant on Engine 11 in 2019, and it was a night that still continues to live in his mind.

"I thought we did an excellent job, but it was just wasn't soon enough," Trott said.

As Erie Fire Chief at the time, Santone said when he arrived to the scene on that dreadful early morning, he saw the toll it took on his team.

"Number one, they were exhausted," Santone said. "Number two, they had this look on their face, like disbelief, like what had just happened?"

The days that followed on West 11th Street saw burnt remnants, including a memorial of balloons and stuffed animals in front of the home. The tragedy sparked questioning, discussions with government leaders, and eventually, a law change for local daycare businesses.

"They have to notify us, and also, not only do they have to get a permit from the state [now], but they also have to get a permit from the city," Santone said.

Along with more permits, the new laws included interconnected smoke and carbon monoxide detectors inside, plus regular yearly inspections.

Santone wishes things did not happen this way, but he also understands the outcomes it created.

"Unfortunately, with tragedies like this, sometimes good comes from that, and that was the law changed," Santone said.