New Delhi:
Three Indian teenaged siblings -- identified as Sharron, 17, Joy, 15, and Aaron, 14, — were among four people killed in a fire at a house in Collierville, US, two days before Christmas, according to media reports. The other victim has been identified as Kari Coudriet of Collierville, said a statement released by the Coudriet’s Collierville Bible Church.
“A fire started around 11 o’clock pm at the Coudriet home. The Coudriet family was hosting, housing, and celebrating Christmas with three teenagers attending an Academy here in the States. The Naik family are Missionaries in India that our church supports,” the statement said.
The teens were staying with the Coudriet family while attending school in the US.
According to reports, the parents were identified as Srinivas Naik and Sujatha of Gurraputhanda of Neredugommu block in Nalgonda district of Telangana.
The statement said Danny, Kari, and their son Cole in the Coudriet family, and with Sharron, Joy and Aaron were all in the home. Danny and Cole were able to make it out of the home. Kari was unable to make it out of the home.
While Danny was taken to a hospital for minor burn treatment, Cole did not sustain any burns, and was expected to make a full recovery.
"At this time, we are asking for privacy and discretion regarding the Missionary children. The family is in route from India and many of the details of the events are still being communicated to the family, the statement added.
Reports suggest that Keith Potts, who has known the Coudriet family for about four years, said he visited Daniel Coudriet's hospital room Monday morning. Only immediate family was allowed to see Coudriet but Potts said he stayed to show support.
He described the family and friends at the hospital as "somber but supportive."
Potts and Coudriet both coached for the United Soccer Club. Potts coached the girls' team, while Coudriet coached the boys.
