On Wednesday afternoon, my cousin Michael Petrucelli's triplet sons suffered serious smoke inhalation when an electrical fire ravaged their home in Bethesda MD. Thank God for the three firefighters who risked their lives to save the boys. I've linked articles below on the fire and the current condition of the triplets. At this point, the kids are stable but it is unknown if they suffered any disabling brain and/or respiratory problems.

Please keep the boys, their parents and the injured firefighters in your prayers.

www.washingtonpost.com...01830.html

www.gazette.net/storie...2487.shtml

Apologies to Nuccia and Cathy for not being in touch for a couple of days. I'll email you tonight or this weekend.

Biff

OMG Biff! How horrible! They are have my prayers... Don't worry about email!

Thanks, Cathy

A number of news articles have erroneously stated that the house did not have smoke detectors. It did. Also mentioned in the news reports were the use of nets on the boys' cribs. You can't imagine some of the horrific comments that have been posted on the blogs out there ripping my cousin and his wife apart. Here's a statement from, Lisa Reichmann, President of Montgomery County Parents of Multiples:

"I want to clarify issues that have been raised in the media regarding this tragic situation. The family did in fact have smoke detectors and active carbon monoxide detectors. Unfortunately, they were in the process of upgrading from hardwired smoke detectors to new wireless ones when the fire occurred. There has also been some misunderstanding surrounding the use of crib tents. As a parent of toddler multiples, myself, I can attest to the fact that use of crib tents is not an uncommon way to protect young children from the hazards associated with attempts to climb out of their cribs. In particular, toddlers in the two- to three-year old age range are especially prone to trying to climb out of their cribs, and these devices can be used to prevent serious injuries."


Biff

OMG how awful. I got all choked up when I read that.

About those crib tents. My son has twins. His other son was two when they were born. These twins also, liked to climb out of the crib at an early age. They bought twin bed mattresses to put on the floor..and had them gated in their rooms. When you have little ones like that and your bedrooms are on the second floor, you have to do something to keep them safe. I am sure whomever made remarks, never had children, especially multiples. My daughter has a little one, too...she did the same thing..a toddler bed and a room gate.

Please keep us updated on these babies.

People can be so quick to judge. I hate that. Most people cannot imagine life with triplets...and the dangers children can pose to themselves. Ignore them Biff - they are idiots! lol

OMG how horrible/ I can't believe this or how iggnorant some people can be. Everyone is always looking for a scrapegoat or a reason to blame someone. When my boys were little we had a similiar thing happen but luckily I was able to get the boys out before too much damage. Jesse did however end up sick with his lungs for a while.

The boys and their parents will be in our prayers and don't worry about the emails. There's time for that.

Hugs to you all.

The only thing to do is to ignore these uniformed people and their unkind comments.
All our energies should be concentrated on the babies and on those brave firefighters who brought them alive out of the fire and put them back into the arms of those that love them...

May God bless them for doing such a dangerous job.

My sincere prayers will of course be with them all!

So sorry to hear this news Biff
I agree with Carole

Quote::

The only thing to do is to ignore these uniformed people and their unkind comments.

but sometimes even when we try to ignore the cruel remarks they still hurt and your family dont need that at this time they have enough worry already.
It must have been sooo hard for your cousin to be told to stay back and not go back into the house but it was the correct advice.
Thank goodness those brave men managed to get the babies out.
Your family will be in my prayers.
Emmy

That's normal blogging behavor sadly it happens all the time ...

Every single day ...the most negative lies that can be bloged are blogged . I have a theory that it's cowardly bullies who'd never dare be bullies in real life that does that sort of thing.

Often the gossip media themselves leaves those kinds of negative comments to get their advertising $$$s up then some trouble makers outside of the media feel encouraged to join in. It's very disgusting and disturbing behavor. Some people will do anything for money and fame at the cost of others

Those others are way to often people who are already suffering made to suffer even more

nuccia wrote:

OMG how horrible/ I can't believe this or how iggnorant some people can be. Everyone is always looking for a scrapegoat or a reason to blame someone. When my boys were little we had a similiar thing happen but luckily I was able to get the boys out before too much damage. Jesse did however end up sick with his lungs for a while. The boys and their parents will be in our prayers and don't worry about the emails. There's time for that. Hugs to you all.

the kids are in my prayers, let us know if there are any news
Riccardo

Sorry to hear this news Biff. Your family will be in my prayers.

Biff, your family is in my thoughts and prayers as well. I know it is hurtful that there is such negativity out there. Just don't read it. Those people do not know, unless they have walked in the parents' shoes.

Some good news to report.

One of the triplets has been upgraded from critical to serious condition; his other brothers remain in critical but stable condition.

My cousin, his wife and our entire family send our heartfelt thanks to all of you for your prayers.

Biff

Thank you for keeping us posted Biff. It's the Christmas season and I believe miracles happen then. I pray that this is the case here.

I am so happy to hear that. Keep the faith. I think they will all be alright.