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Vigil held for mother, children lost in fire

Just over 100 people gathered Wednesday night in Shenandoah to remember the victims of a fire that claimed the life of a mother, her son and her two nephews one year ago.

The victims were Tiffany Matejick-Sanchez, 29, her son, Cristian Sanchez, 10; and nephews, Damien Lopez, 10, and 7-month-old Aziah Hernandez.During the vigil, people held candles and sang songs of remembrance. Rebecca Barnes, 17, of Ashland, sang "In the Arms of an Angel," by Sarah McLachlan while Sister Catherine and Sister Mary Ann sang gospel songs during the program.The fire, which occurred on March 27, 2012, started inside the family's 117 E. Coal St. and left 11 people homeless and damaged four other homes.Before she perished in the fire, Sanchez placed her son, Diego Sanchez, 8, outside a window to safety.Vigil organizer and close friend Eric Becker said, "What a great way to remember the ones we love."The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

ANDREW LEIBENGUTH/TIMES NEWS Over 100 people came out Wednesday evening to remember a mother and four children lost to a house fire last March in Shenandoah.