Pregnant mom, 2 kids die in fire that was intentionally set
Share this @internewscast.com

Insets: Ashley Thompson with her two children (GoFundMe). Background: Firefighters responding to the fire at the Thompson residence in Philadelphia’s Strawberry Mansion area on Friday, June 13, 2025 (WTXF).

A tragic fire in Philadelphia resulted in the deaths of a pregnant mother and her two children. Authorities concluded that the fire was intentionally started. Witnesses and family members described the fire as “devastating” and recalled how rapidly it spread early Friday, leading to a desperate escape by the children’s grandmother, who leaped from a window holding a “baby in her arms.”

“We looked out the window, it was engulfed in flames,” recounted neighbor Yessenia Nieves to local NBC affiliate WCAU while discussing the early morning blaze in Philadelphia’s Strawberry Mansion neighborhood. The fire claimed the lives of Ashley Thompson and her children, six-year-olds Alayna and Asad. According to the local Fox affiliate WTXF, Thompson was seven months pregnant, as confirmed by interviews with her family.

At least one person has been taken into custody for further questioning, according to WTXF, but charges have not been filed.

“I couldn’t even imagine in my mind who would want to hurt three babies and a pregnant girl,” said Chyna, a relative and roommate who spoke to WTXF and other outlets Friday and declined to give her last name.

“This morning I’m getting a call that the whole house is on fire and my family is gone,” she said, according to local ABC affiliate WPVI.

“It don’t even seem real,” Chyna continued. “It’s a dream — she’s going to wake up tomorrow and call me.”

Love true crime? Sign up for our newsletter, The Law&Crime Docket, to get the latest real-life crime stories delivered right to your inbox.

The Philadelphia Fire Department says it’s working with the police department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to determine what caused the deadly fire. Arson detection dogs and other tactics are reportedly being utilized.

“You all took my family,” Chyna said in reference to whoever is responsible, according to WTXF. “Including that baby she had in her stomach that was very healthy, and she was about to have. That’s a tragedy.”

Nieves told reporters that by the time she got out of her house with her husband, the children’s grandmother “had already jumped out the window with the baby in her arms,” per WTXF.

“There was no going back in to help anyone else,” Nieves said. “It’s just devastating. Really sad, the whole situation.”

Thompson was found dead on the second floor of the home, while her children were pronounced dead at the hospital after arriving in critical condition.

Police say the investigation is still ongoing.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Former mayor and ex-state trooper receives verdict for accident

Inset left: A.J. Scott (City of Buchanan). Inset right: Isabella Chinchilla and…

Florida Receives $13.6 Million in Federal Funding to Enhance Immigration Enforcement

Press release from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles…

Woman Allegedly Abducts Man and His Two Children After Offering Them a Ride: Police Report

Location: Intersection of Overton Crossing Street and Frayser Boulevard in Memphis, Tennessee,…

Woman Causes Disturbance at Little Caesars Over $1 Sauces: Police Report

Share copy link Inset: Breanna Haynes (Louisville Metro Police Department). Background: The…

Body of Missing California Woman Discovered in Attic

A California woman reported missing late last week has been found dead,…

Former Groomsman Denied Bail in Connection to ‘Brutal’ Gold Coast Murder

A man accused of brutally murdering a father-of-two has been denied bail…

“Help Solve the Mystery: FBI Offers $25K Reward for Leads on Missing Massachusetts 4-Year-Old from 1978”

The FBI is offering a $25,000 reward for information that leads to…

Mother Uses Steam on Baby Girl’s Face Causing Severe Skin Damage Due to Gender Disappointment

An Ohio woman was jailed on Wednesday for allegedly abusing her 4-month-old…

Mother-in-Law Allegedly Hired Hit on Law Professor Son-in-Law; Jury Misconduct May Lead to Her Release

After nearly three weeks of testimony, a jury swiftly reached a verdict…

Erin Patterson, Accused in Mushroom-Related Deaths, Faces Imminent Deadline for Appeal

Patterson was found guilty of three counts of murder and one count…

Father Greeted Kids with ‘Good Morning’ before Tragic Incident, Police Report

Left inset: Jeffrey Smerer (WJBK/YouTube). Right inset: Kinzley Smerer, Bentley Smerer and…

Police Issue Warning Following Increase in Counterfeit Currency

South Australian police have issued a warning over a surge in counterfeit…