LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – Two weeks after a house fire claimed the lives of four, family and friends gathered Thursday to celebrate their lives.
The Langhorne Creek Street fire killed two adults and two children. It also injured a mother and child who jumped from a third story window to escape the flames.
The Clark County Coroner identified the victims as 48-year-old Ibrahim Adem, 43-year-old Abdul Adem, 7-year-old Anaya Adem and 6-year-old Aaliyah Adem.
Hundreds gathered Thursday at Central Church in Henderson to pay their respects.
For the Adem family, each of these photos represents a memory – a fleeting moment with their loved one they’ll never get the chance to recreate.
“Growing up, we all have some kind of superhero. For me, that was my dad,” Alijah Adem said, who lost his father, sisters, and uncle in one morning.
He said his sister, 7-year-old Anaya, took any opportunity she could to spend time with him.
“I remember the first time my dad told me I was going to have a little sister. I was hesitant because I wanted a brother, but then it ended up being you Anaya, which was exactly what I needed,” Alijah says.
He said Aaliyah balanced her sister out with her steadfast personality at only 6-years-old.
“If you didn’t get your way, my dad knew it was going to be the end of the world. The way you boss everyone around, and so strong willed at your age, I knew you were destined for something great,” Alijah said, addressing his late sister.
Anaya and Aaliyah’s uncle, Awet Adem, bowed his head at his brothers’ caskets.
“Those girls, every time their dad walked in or their uncle walked in, they wouldn’t stop smiling,” Awet said.
A family gone too soon, but not without touching thousands of lives, and leaving a lasting impact on the Las Vegas Valley.
“When you get four people dying in the same day, in the middle of the night, and you’re running around Vegas looking for them, words can’t express,” Awet said.
Awet said the community can support them by talking about happy memories with their loved ones. He says they would not be where they are today without the love and support that’s pouring in.
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