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2 weeks after fire killed 2 teens, family grateful for community help
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2 weeks after fire killed 2 teens, family grateful for community help

COVENTRY TOWNSHIP, Ohio — More than two weeks have passed since a devastating fire in Coventry Township took the lives of two teenagers and seriously injured their grandmother.

Abigayle Mates, 17, and her brother Adrian Mates-Mata, 15, were killed after a fire broke out in their home on Cove Boulevard around 3 a.m. on October 30.

2 teenagers dead after house fire in Coventry township

RELATED: 2 teenagers dead after house fire in Coventry township

Mary Rodriguez, 68, remains in critical condition in the burn unit at Akron Children’s Hospital.

According to his son, Donnie Carpenter, Rodriguez burned more than 50 percent of his body.

“She’s had two surgeries for skin grafts and she has to have surgery (tracheotomy) to help her breathe because she’s having trouble breathing,” Carpenter said.

To add to the heartbreaking situation, Rodriguez is currently unable to speak and the family is unsure if they realize that their grandchildren died in the fire.

“We haven’t told Mary about the kids because there’s no communication. I just feel like it’s really unfair,” said Carpenter’s wife, Christine Shreve.

The siblings were students at Coventry High School. Abigayle was a junior. Adrian was in his first year.

Carpenter and Shreve said Abigayle wanted to become a nurse. Adrian was known for his passion for football.

“Just bubbly, wonderful kids. They’re good kids. They have big hearts,” Shreve said.

The family continues to draw strength from the kindness of the community, including a vigil held days after the fire.

Upper Deck Bar and Grill also held a fundraiser for the family.

At the McDonald’s where Abigayle worked, Coventry art students Ashlyn Smith, Kaitlyn Osborne, Makayla Quesenberry, Kayla Rosser and Julia Kozlowski created a memorial tribute to the siblings on the restaurant’s windows.

The McDonald’s also raised $3,239 from 15% of sales, with proceeds going directly to the Mates family to help cover funeral costs.

Carpenter said he is grateful for the outpouring of support from the community.

“It means everything, just giving yourself a little bit…restores faith in humanity,” Carpenter said. “I also wanted to thank the kids they went to school with. These kids are going through a lot.”

Coventry’s fire chief said the cause of the fire was undetermined and likely to remain that way.

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