Community members banded together to host multiple fundraisers in the wake of a devastating house fire that claimed the lives of a family of five this year in Franklin Township.

The fundraisers were held for Matthew Wheelock, who lost his four children and their mother in a fire at 56 Willow St. on Sept. 30.

The Carbon County Coroner’s office identified the victims as Aida Marrero, 37; Kaylee Quevedo, 14; Nathaniel Wheelock, 1; Aiden Wheelock, 5; and Matthias Wheelock, 6.

Marrero died from smoke inhalation and thermal burns; Kaylee died from inhalation of products of combustion and thermal injuries; Nathaniel died from inhalation of products of combustion and thermal injuries; Aiden died from smoke inhalation and thermal burns; and Matthias died from inhalation of products of combustion and thermal injuries.

Their deaths were ruled accidental.

In response to the tragedy, various fundraisers were held locally.

• A GoFundMe was previously set up for Matthew Wheelock. That fundraiser was organized by Nicole Wheelock of Tampa, Florida.

• Another GoFundMe was organized by Cristina Conklin of Lehighton for the Marrero Family Memorial.

• The Boatyard Bar and Grill in Weissport held a fundraiser for the Wheelock family.

• St. Peter’s Community Resource Center, 177 Main Road, Franklin Township, offered to be a drop-off point for donations for the fire victims.

• P.J. Whelihan’s Pub and Restaurant in Lehighton hosted a Community Support Night.

The residents on the other side of the duplex at 56 and 60 Willow St. escaped injury.

State police said that the Troop N Fire Marshal Unit determined there were no suspicious circumstances regarding the fire. The house was a total loss and will be demolished.

When troopers and firefighters arrived just before midnight, the home was fully engulfed on the first floor and rear of the second floor. The mother, three boys, and one girl were trapped inside.

Franklin Township fire Chief Lynn Diehl said a critical incident stress management group that provides support to people affected by traumatic events held a session at the Franklin Township Fire station. Firefighters remained on scene until just before 7 a.m.

Also assisting at the scene were the Lehighton Fire Department, Parryville Fire Department, Bowmanstown Fire Department, Mahoning Valley Fire Department, Towamensing Township Fire Department, Jim Thorpe Fire Department, Aquashicola Fire Department for its cascade system, and Lehighton Ambulance.

Lehighton Area School District issued an announcement the following morning in which Superintendent Jason Moser said in a statement that counseling was being offered for students.