WILMINGTON, Del. (WPVI) — A married couple was killed and two firefighters were injured after a fire tore through a three-story home in Wilmington, Delaware, early Tuesday morning, according to family members and firefighters.
Firefighters responded to the 800 block of 8th Avenue shortly after 2:30 a.m. and arrived to find all three floors of the home on fire.
The cause of the fire, which claimed the lives of John and Tanya Poteat, remains under investigation.
Family says husband and wife John Poteat and Tanya Rogers were killed in an early morning house fire in Wilmington, Delaware.
Family members remembered the couple as loved ones and said their deaths devastated them.
“My sister is gone. She’s gone. She’s gone. That’s all I know. My sister and my brother-in-law are gone. They’re both gone,” said Sharon Osburn, Tanya Poteat’s sister.
According to local authorities, the house was fully engulfed when firefighters arrived and the second floor collapsed before the fire was brought under control more than two hours later.
First responders found the remains of the victims in the master bedroom.
The couple’s daughter, Janene Peterson, described her parents as caring people who touched many lives.
“Great people. I miss my mother. She was loving. She loves her grandchildren. She loved everyone. Same with my stepfather. He loved everyone too,” Peterson said.
Family members also told Action News the couple had three dogs. There was no immediate news on what happened to the animals.
Two firefighters were injured while battling the blaze, fire officials said.
“Both transported to the emergency room. Minor injuries. In fact, one of them has already been treated and released from the emergency room,” Wilmington Fire Chief John Looney said.
Authorities said surrounding homes suffered fire, smoke and water damage. There was no immediate information on how many residents might have been displaced.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Copyright © 2026 WPVI-TV. All rights reserved.
Gn headline
