Porterville Fire says the cause of the fire remains unknown.
"I don't know what they did to deserve this," said Tristin Tuese, a sophomore at Granite Hills High School who went to school with one of the victims.
Early Wednesday morning, Porterville Fire and Porterville Police responded to the large flames moving throughout the two-story, 120-year-old home.
The Tulare County Sheriff's Office identified 35-year-old Gladis Plumlee and her two children, a 15-year-old boy and a 14-year-old girl, as the victims in the deadly fire.
"It's just not the same -- not without him, or his sister, or his mother," said Bella Perez, a sophomore at Granite Hills High School
Students from Granite Hills High School gathered outside the charred home to remember their friend, whom they described as funny and kind.
"It's heartbreaking to know, like we lost a good friend, a good person," said Tuese.
"He would always laugh. He always wanted people to laugh and not be sad," said Perez as she fought back tears.
Once fire crews arrived, they found the home engulfed in flames. Immediately, firefighters began strategizing and searching for anyone inside.
The family confirmed that the father, a U.S. veteran, and his oldest daughter were the only two survivors.
In a statement to Action News, the family shared, "A home can be rebuilt, but the family that was lost cannot be replaced. They have all been active parts of their community. The kids received countless honors in school, scouts and in everything they put their minds to."
The tragic fire has gripped the tight-knit community, which is now left grieving.
"Porterville is a tight-knit community. This fire hits home for everybody, including my own firefighters. You know, anytime you have children involved, such as this one, this incident, as well as our last fatal fire, it resonates within my department," said Chief Bryan Cogburn of Porterville Fire Department.
The family has organized a GoFundMe to help with clothing, shelter, and funeral expenses.
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