Two South Carolina toddlers die in house fire after being left alone on Christmas Eve

Two toddlers are dead after their house burned down on Christmas Eve, with both having been left inside the home in Darlington County, South Carolina.

Avery, 3, and his 2-year-old sister, SyiRiah, were discovered inside the home by Darlington County Fire crew members, who received a call about the fire at approximately 6:45 p.m. on Cedar Ridge Road, the county's Emergency Management Department told WBTW.

Bystanders at the scene told crews there were two children still inside the home. They were removed by firefighters, and lifesaving efforts were performed on both, but they ultimately died after being taken to the hospital.

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Coroner Todd Hardee told WBTW that the children died as a result of injuries incurred in the fire, but it wasn't immediately clear what those injuries were. The children's mother reportedly requested that the toddlers' last names not be included in reports of the incident.

The Cheraw Fire Department posted to Facebook just before 9:30 p.m. the evening of the incident, writing, "Please keep the personnel of the Darlington County Fire District in your prayers tonight. They had a very tough call tonight that hits close to home with many of them and us."

The Hartsville Fire Department also reportedly assisted at the scene. The fire itself is under investigation by the Darlington County Coroner's Office, the Darlington County Sheriff's Office as well as the State Law Enforcement Division, WBTW reported. Darlington is about 76 miles east-northeast of the state's capital, Columbia.

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The Darlington County Fire District released an additional statement about the incident, writing, according to WMBF, "The Darlington County Fire District encourages everyone to take extra steps in safety this time of year. Please check smoke alarms for working batteries, make sure all live Christmas trees are watered regularly, keep portable heaters a safe distance from flammable objects, have working carbon monoxide detectors in homes with gas appliances, and do not leave smoking materials, like candles and cigarettes, unattended."

A GoFundMe page was established to assist the family with the cost of relocating and paying for memorials for the two children. A goal of $100,000 was set, and by the middle of the afternoon on Tuesday, Jan. 7, exactly two weeks after the fire, it had raised just over $7,500.

"A devastating fire claimed the lives of two precious grandchildren, 3-year-old Avery and 2-year-old SyiRiah. As we mourn the loss of these sweet angels, I am thankful for the ones wanting to come together to support my grieving family during this incredibly difficult time," the GoFundMe's organizer wrote. "My family is facing tremendous challenges ahead, including the need for immediate housing support, essential household items, funeral services, clothing and counseling to help us navigate this grief."