NEW ORLEANS — The city of New Orleans plans to quickly demolish the home on America Street in New Orleans East where 3 children perished in a fire believed set up by their father.
In fact, neighbors were startled that demolition crews and notices appeared on the scene Friday under an emergency order from the city's code enforcement division.
Family members were said to be unaware that such action was planned for Friday and calls were made and someone from the family will be allowed one last trip through the property to see if anything is salvageable.
In other developments in the case, a GoFundMe account has been set up for the family of the children in order to help pay for the burial costs.
"No mother is ever prepared for this tragedy," said the fund's organizer, an aunt of the three children. "We are starting this GoFundMe to help my family lay our angels down to rest."
There is also a prayer memorial set for 6 pm down the block from where the fire occurred on America Street in New Orleans East.
The children's father, Joe Washington Sr., has been arrested and is facing three first-degree murder counts and three counts of cruelty to a juvenile in a crime that has shaken the city and first responders and has spurred calls for improved response to domestic violence calls and a look at how 911 calls are handled.
The police department has called for a Public Integrity Bureau investigation into the response around midnight Wednesday. The office that oversees 911 said a timeline shows that the initial call from the children's mother came in around 11:55 p.m. Tuesday and there were no police units to send. Police units finally arrived at the scene at 12:20. By that time the fire department was administering CPR to two of the victims. However, those two children did not survive, nor did a third child found in the home later.
"We are going to look at everything with NOPD's role and response (to the fire)," said NOPD Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick.