Pastor, two sons killed in Orient house fire
ORIENT, Ohio (WCMH) -- A man and two children died Tuesday morning after a house fire in Pickaway County.
A spokesperson for the Pickaway County Coroner's Office confirmed that three people died in a fire at 11724 Ballah Road. It said that the victims were 55-year-old pastor Mark Robinette at a local church and his two sons, 17-year-old Gideon Robinette and 10-year-old Liam Robinette. Additionally, a family member said others were injured in the fire.
“Mark was the most giving person that you could ever imagine and he had a heart for people who were homeless and on drugs and that’s what their ministry and their church was all about," family member Hugh Rose said.
The Mount Sterling and Orient communities gathered Tuesday night for a vigil honoring the Robinettes, sharing how others can support the family after the loss.
"If there's anybody that would want to donate, whether that be food or financially or clothing -- they've lost everything -- you could get in touch with the Foundation Church," neighbor Rob McNeal said. Mark Robinette was the pastor of the Foundation Church.
Neighbors gathered near the home, singing and praying for the lives lost.
"It's such a loving community to put this vigil together for this family, the Robinette family, it's such a tragic loss," McNeal said.
A spokesperson with the Ohio Department of Commerce said that an investigation is ongoing to determine the cause of the fire. The state's fire and explosions investigations bureau is leading the investigation.
“I say this for the whole family, they are all in shock as you can well imagine and it’s going to take a while," Rose said. "There are no arrangements. They’re kind of just trying to get themselves together."