Olathe — The two siblings who lost their parents and three brothers in a fire last month have returned to college even as they continue to mourn.
The brother and sister spoke publicly Monday for the first time since losing their family in the Oct. 16 fire. The siblings say they are grateful to have each other.
"If she wasn't here, it would be absolutely unbearable," Justin Orr said of his sister, Kameron.
Justin, 23, survived the fire that killed his parents, Matthew and Rebecca Orr, both 46, and brothers, Benjamin, 18; Jeremiah, 16; and Kyle, 14.
Kameron, 19, attends Kansas University and was in Lawrence on the night of the fire.
The two gave their thanks for the outpouring of letters, prayers, money and support they had received. They told others to cherish their families.
"We have about 50,000 mothers and fathers right now," Kameron said.
Fire officials in the Kansas City suburb believe the blaze was accidental. The investigation continues, and Olathe firefighters said one of the three smoke alarms in the house was not working. They are awaiting test results on electrical equipment to determine a specific cause.
The functioning alarm might have been what saved Justin's life.
When the smoke alarm woke him, he ran from the basement and met a thick wall of smoke. Justin believes the fire had consumed all the oxygen in the house at that point.
Barely able to breathe, he found his unconscious father in the burning home. Justin then ran to a neighbor and called 911. When Justin returned to rescue his father, he was drained of strength and could not pull him to safety.
"I heard the sirens and things. People were starting to come out and tell me to get away from the house," he said. "I love my family and my dad was right there. I could see him and I was trying to pull him out, but I couldn't. Then flames started to come out the front door and I sort of knew: 'I've got to go now."'
Justin sustained injuries to his hand, but he since has recovered.
He and his sister say the emotional healing has begun.
Kameron has returned to classes in Lawrence, and Justin has resumed his coursework at Johnson County Community College. His first day back at school was difficult, he said.
Kameron and Justin salvaged belongings and keepsakes from their former home, including their mother's diamond ring and love letters from their father to their mother.
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