A California family joined the rest of the world to celebrate the festive season by putting a Christmas tree in their home. Little did they know that their Christmas spirit would be dampened by that very tree when a fire took the lives of two of their family members.

On December 15, 2023, the Barstow Fire Protection District took to its Facebook account to share the heartbreaking news about a family’s loss. They revealed how saddened they were to report that a tragedy occurred in their town the previous day and days before Christmas Day.

At around 6:48 p.m., the fire department and the police received several reports about a house being on fire with children stuck inside. When firefighters arrived in three minutes at the accident scene at Charmon and Akeem Isom’s home.

The parents who lived at Barstow’s 2500 block of St. Lawrence Street did what they could to save Annie, seven, and Aalijah, two, after a Christmas tree sparked a housefire and the smoke detectors failed to work. The firefighters came across other teams trying to handle the situation. There was lots of smoke and heavy fire, which caused challenges for those trying to assist.

The firefighters undertook two separate rescues, jumping through two different bedroom windows to try and find the children. When the children were discovered, they were handed over through the windows to Barstow Police Officers.

The attending ambulances took the children and transported them to Barstow Community Hospital. Sadly, the efforts made by all those who tried to help were in vain, as the children’s families suffered losses.

What Happened to the Children?
Although police officers and firefighters tried their best to save the children, one of them, Aalijah, died from her injuries. The other sibling was airlifted to Orange County’s UC Irvine burn facility to receive care. Sadly, after being put on life support for a week, her parents chose to let her go.

Annie’s organs, including her liver, heart, pancreas, kidneys, and more would be donated. When the children’s father visited their house for the first time since the blaze, he confessed that being there gave him the shakes.

On December 20, 2023, Charmon created a GoFundMe account, hoping to raise $20,000…

Charmon recalled running in, trying to do all she could, like breaking windows and making her way under the fire. Instead, she got first-degree burns on his feet while trying to flee. The Red Cross, Peer Support, and Counseling Teams were asked to assist those affected by the incident. The community came together for the Isoms.

How Did the Barstow Community and Others Come Together to Help the Isoms?
Days before Christmas Day, on December 23, 2023, the Barstow community came together and held a night vigil for the little girls. The event was complete with balloons, crosses, and loving words from their dearest family and friends, with Akeem heartbreakingly confessing at the vigil:

“There’s no amount of money, there’s no amount of valuables that can bring back my children.”

Akeem also shared that nothing can return the happy times he spent with her children. The Isoms are now raising money to pay for their children’s funerals and to help the survivors to relocate.

On December 20, 2023, Charmon created a GoFundMe account hoping to raise $20,000, but by December 28, 396 people had donated a whopping $21,875! The late children’s mother explained that she and Akeem were parents to six children before losing two.

She described Aalijah as “tender,” “joyful, beautiful,” and Annie as “vibrant,” “a vivacious spirit,” and with an “affinity for TikTok.” They were close and had a deep affection for their brothers and sisters. Aalijah was the youngest family member.

The Isoms believed their community’s strength lay in their ability to come together during times of need. They asked people to join together in helping lift them out of despair so they could rebuild despite the ruins they faced.

The family asked those who wished to donate household items and clothes to send them to 940 Navajo St., Barstow, California 92311. The Barstow Police Department and the San Bernardino County Arson Investigators are jointly investigating the cause of the fire.

Sadly, the Isom’s story of loss isn’t the only recent tragedy to occur over the festive season. Click here to read about a couple who lost their lives in a car crash days before Christmas Day, while on their way to announce their pregnancy.