(PHOTO COURTESY: MICHELLE KATHLEEN)

BRADFORD COUNTY, PA (WENY) -- Communities in Bradford County, Pennsylvania are coming together after an area teacher and her daughter tragically lost their lives after a house fire. The Wyalusing School District is mourning the loss of Ashley Roehrig and her daughter Avery, a third-grade student.

"My first interactions with Avery was when I was helping at the daycare facility that she [used to] attend. She was spunky, ready to take on the world, [and] always had a lot of friends... She just had a really great attitude and a great outlook at such a young age... Ashley was just a force to be reckoned with. I didn't always have a lot of engagement with her unless we were talking about our kids... She had participated in so many areas of her kids' lives and [was] very involved. She was just someone you'd always see out and about and with a great smile," said the School Board President for Wyalusing, Kelly White.

The fire happened on Monday at their home in Herrickville. White said while this is a tragic and devastating event, it's been absolutely amazing to see the community and surrounding areas support the Roehrig family.

"It's growing and growing. People are reaching out about how to donate, or how to get things to us. We have a lot of sites set up for collections of clothing that was needed, gift certificates, money, [and it] reaches all the way down to Tunkhannock, out to Rome. So, these people and businesses in these communities within Bradford and Wyoming Counties are reaching out," said White.

A GoFundMe for the family has already raised just over $91,000 at the time of this publication.

Several neighboring school districts, including Athens and Sayre, have shared messages of support. They've also pledged to donate proceeds from upcoming games and matches over the next couple of days to the family.

In a statement from the Wyalusing Area School District Superintendent Gary Otis, he said;

'We are heartbroken to share the tragic news of a devastating fire early on Monday, January 20, 2025, that has profoundly impacted the Roehrig family, members of our school district, and our community. This unimaginable loss includes Ashley Roehrig and her daughter, Avery. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Roehrig family, their loved ones, and everyone affected by this tragedy.

Ashley was a student teacher at both our Elementary School and High School and most recently secured a position with Bradford County Head Start at the Wyalusing campus, located in our Elementary School. Avery was a beloved 3rd-grade student at our Elementary School, known for her radiant smile and the joy she brought to everyone who knew her.

In response to this heartbreaking event, the Wyalusing Area School District has mobilized resources to support our students, staff, and community. Crisis counselors, school counselors, and pastoral support have been present at both the High School and Elementary School campuses throughout the day to provide assistance. Counseling services will also be available January 21, from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM, and Thursday, January 22, from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM at the Wyalusing Valley Elementary School. We encourage all who are grieving or in need of support to take advantage of these resources.

As we navigate this tragedy, we kindly ask for respect for the privacy of the Roehrig family and all those who are mourning this profound loss. The strength and compassion of our community will help us move forward together, providing comfort and understanding to one another in the days ahead.

We are deeply grateful for the abundance of kindness and support our community, surrounding communities and local school districts have already shown. Fundraisers, including a GoFundMe campaign, a Meal Train, and other opportunities to assist the Roehrig family, have been established, and we encourage those who wish to help to participate.

At Wyalusing Area School District, the safety and well-being of our students and staff remain our top priorities. We thank everyone for their ongoing support during this challenging time and will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.'

It's unclear at the time of this publication how the fire started. 

Two other family members in the home at the time the fire broke out survived. A third family member was not home at the time.