September 24, 2012

A terrible house fire claims four lives in Bedford County. Family members are in mourning.

Two children and their grandparents died in the fire in the Rover community.

Smoke rises over the home on Kingdom Road where fire has caused a horrible loss.

"Just unbelievable, state of shock, still in shock. Not sure what to think," says Leon McClaran, Jr.

Family members can't understand why four loved ones died.

Grandparents Leon and Molly McClaran and their two grandchildren, seven year old Gage Daniel, and nine year old Chloe Pope were killed.

"They were good people, they were really good," says family member Belinda Lahr.

The fire started Sunday night around 10 p.m. A neighbor called 911.

The Sheriff believes the four victims were asleep when it started.

"Anytime you got two kids like that, it's rough," says Bedford County Sheriff Randall Boyce.

By the time the fire department arrived the home was in flames.

"The house fell in, all the outside walls, everything fell in, which made it extremely hot," says Sheriff Boyce.

Leon McClaran's son watched the house burn and knew it wasn't good.

"It wasn't a pretty sight for anybody to have to watch their parents. I'd never want to wish that on anyone," says Leon McClaran, Jr.

Family members say siblings Gage Daniel and Chloe Pope had lived with their grandparents for several years. The children attended Community Elementary School.

Mary Lamb is Leon McClaran's sister.

"He loved those children. They were inseparable, he and the little boy were," says Mary Lamb.

As investigators search for remains, family members stand together.

They are trying to understand why this happened.

"There's strength in each other, having each other, and we all have faith," says Mary Lamb.

Fire officials don't know what started the fire, but at this point there's no indication that it's suspicious.

The investigation will continue in the days ahead.