FERGUSON, Mo. — The family killed in a house fire early Monday morning in Ferguson have been identified as a longtime area schoolteacher and her four children.
Fire officials said a neighbor called 911 at about 4:30 a.m. Monday when they spotted the fire at a home on the 500 block of North Clay Avenue in Ferguson.
A spokesperson with the St. Louis County Police Department said five people and three dogs were found dead inside the home.
The woman's father, Cordell Beache, identified the victims as Bernadine “Birdie” Pruessner and her four children: 2-year-old Millie, 6-year-old Jackson and 9-year-old twin girls Ellie and Ivy.
Beache told 5 On Your Side he had just seen his daughter for dinner Sunday night.
Cathy Kelly, spokeswoman for the Parkway School District, confirmed Ellie and Ivy Pruessner were fourth graders at Mason Ridge Elementary School.
Roughly 14 rabbits, three chickens and two cats survived, according to Ferguson police and the Ferguson Animal Coalition. Officers were seen carrying out some of the animals Monday afternoon to assist the animal rescue groups.
Ferguson Animal Coalition's Dara Ashby said the animals they were able to save were on a separate part of the property away from the flames.
"The animals were very happy and had food and water and I know the owner. She loved them dearly. And so I'm happy that I could help in some way, to help her animals," Ashby said.
Ashby said family members will be caring for some of the animals and they will have to find new homes for the others.
Ashby was in tears as she spoke to 5 On Your Side, saying she was heartbroken over the tragic loss.
"It's a tragedy for our community. She was a wonderful person and loved her kids, loved her family, loved her animals. She was just, a treasure to our community. So this is a huge loss," Ashby said.
Pat Washington with the Ferguson Police Department said firefighters had to back off from the attack numerous times because of the intensity of the flames. Four fire municipalities responded to try to fight the fire.
Investigators with the bomb and arson, regional crime and crimes against person units were on the scene investigating. It took several hours before investigators were able to enter the home.
Pruessner was a teacher who worked for multiple educational institutions across the St. Louis area in both Missouri and Illinois. In 2013, she received the Missouri Teacher of the Year Award from the American Board for Certification of Teacher Excellence. She was a published author of a book on Montessori education, titled "Making it Montessori."
Neighbors knew Pruessner as a "loving, good mother." Jamie Young, who lives directly across the street from the home, embraced Pruessner's emotional father.
"He told me, 'That's my daughter and my four grandbabies,' and I just ... my heart just went out for him. I'm crying with him now. All I could do is just pray for the family," Young said.
Young said she had to break the news Monday morning to her granddaughter, who often played with Pruessner's children.
"She used to take her kids walking up and down the street. She was very good with her kids. She was a very good, very good mother," Young said.
Neighbors said they didn't hear any smoke detectors.
A GoFundMe has been created to support the loved ones of the family. To donate, click here.
This story will be updated when more information becomes available.
To watch 5 On Your Side broadcasts or reports 24/7, 5 On Your Side is always streaming on 5+. Download on Roku, Amazon Fire TV or the Apple TV App Store for free.