Tragic House Fire Claims Lives of Four Young Sisters in North Carolina
Chadbourn, NC – September 7, 2025 – A devastating house fire in Columbus County, North Carolina, claimed the lives of four young sisters—Kalani Rae Melvin, Kendall Xaiya Melvin, Josephina Renee Melvin, and Sophia Nachelle Melvin, aged 2 to 7—early Saturday, August 30, 2025. The blaze, which erupted around 2:30 a.m. at a home on North Colony Road, occurred while the girls were left home alone overnight with two 12-year-old girls, one of whom was their older sister, Winter Green. The two older children escaped and called 911, but the fire’s intensity prevented rescuers from saving the younger sisters.
According to Columbus County Fire Marshal Shannon Blackman, the fire was reported just after 2:30 a.m., and by the time deputies arrived nine minutes later, the home was fully engulfed. “Due to the severity of the fire, it was not possible to make a safe entry,” Sheriff Bill Rogers told CBS 17. The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation and the fire marshal’s office, with no official determination yet released. The bodies of the four girls were sent to the North Carolina Medical Examiner’s Office for autopsies.
The tragedy has shaken the tight-knit Chadbourn community, located near the South Carolina border. Neighbors described the sisters as vibrant and joyful, often seen playing together in their yard. “I could just hear them laughing and playing all the time next door,” neighbor Melissa Long told WLBT. An obituary shared by the family highlighted the girls’ unique personalities: Kalani loved sunsets, Kendall adored rainbows, Josie never turned down pizza, and Sophia enjoyed watching Bluey. “They loved their church, their friends, and their family deeply, and though their time here was far too short, their love and light will forever shine,” the family wrote.
The girls’ father, Patrick Ellis, issued a heartfelt statement through Spectrum Local News, saying, “Please continue to keep us in your thoughts and prayers as we walk through this unimaginable loss.” He expressed gratitude for the community’s support but clarified that no family-approved fundraisers had been established, urging caution against unauthorized campaigns. A funeral for the sisters was held on Sunday, September 7, at Worthington Funeral Home.
The incident has sparked discussions about child safety and supervision, as no adults were present at the time of the fire. Authorities have not disclosed why the children were left alone or the whereabouts of their guardians. The two 12-year-olds who escaped, including Winter, showed remarkable courage by calling for help, but the tragedy underscores the dangers of leaving young children unattended.
This loss joins other recent fire-related tragedies, such as the deaths of two sisters, aged 2 and 7, in a California house fire sparked by a Christmas tree in December 2024. The Chadbourn community continues to rally around the family, with local leaders calling for unity and support. As investigations proceed, the focus remains on honoring the memory of Kalani, Kendall, Josie, and Sophia, whose bright spirits left an indelible mark on those who knew them.
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