Baltimore father who lost six of his nine children in horror house fire thanks the community for its 'overwhelming' support as his wife continues to heal three weeks later

  • Bill Malone thanked the community for supporting his family on Sunday
  • Six of his nine children died when a fire tore through their home on January 12 
  • His wife Katie escaped as did three of the kids as fire tore through the house
  • Bill was at work at Dominoes Pizza when the blaze started at around 12.30am 
  • More than $380,000 has been raised to help the family get back on their feet
  • Fire fighters believe the blaze may have been started by a space heater 

By Jennifer Smith For Dailymail.com

Published: 14:41 EST, 6 February 2017 | Updated: 14:41 EST, 6 February 2017

A Baltimore father whose six kids were killed in a fire at their home thanked strangers for their kindness at a joint memorial service for the children on Saturday.

Dominoes Pizza chef Bill Malone, 36, was working when flames tore through his family's house on January 12, killing six of his nine young children in the middle of the night.

Three escaped with his wife Katie, 40, who is still recovering from burns and smoke inhalation. 

The family lost all their belongings in the fire which is still under investigation. 

On Monday, Mr Malone thanked well-wishers at a memorial service for the six children who'd been killed this weekend, telling The Baltimore Sun: 'The outreach, love and support from the community has been phenomenal.' 

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Bill Malone thanked well wishers for their support and generosity at a memorial service for six of his nine children on Sunday (above). They died in a fire at his home on January 12 

Bill Malone thanked well wishers for their support and generosity at a memorial service for six of his nine children on Sunday (above). They died in a fire at his home on January 12 

: Amelia, 10
Amanda, three,
William, two,

L-R: Amelia, 10, Amanda, three, and William, two, who were among the six children killed

L-R: Bridgette, 11, Zoe, three, and Daniel, nine months, also died in the flames
L-R: Bridgette, 11, Zoe, three, and Daniel, nine months, also died in the flames
L-R: Bridgette, 11, Zoe, three, and Daniel, nine months, also died in the flames

L-R: Bridgette, 11, Zoe, three, and Daniel, nine months, also died in the flames 

'The whole feeling of seeing everyone come out has been so amazing,' he said.

Mrs Malone, who is recovering at her parents' house, missed the memorial. A private family funeral is scheduled for Monday. 

Bridgette, 1,1, Amelia, 10, Amanda, three, Zoe, three, William IV, two, and Daniel, nine months, were all killed in the fire.

Erin, eight, Jack, five, and Jane, four, all escaped. It's not clear how they were able to escape the flames while their siblings perished but it is possible they were on different floors of the house when the blaze began.

Baltimore Fire Department is still investigating the cause of the fire and how some of the children were able to escape. 

A GoFundMe page set up for the family after the fire has raised more than $360,000 of its $500,000 total.  

Erin, eight, Jack, five, and Jane, four,(pictured together) all survived with their mother 

Erin, eight, Jack, five, and Jane, four,(pictured together) all survived with their mother 

The children's mother, Congress staffer Katie Malone, is still recovering from smoke inhalation and burns. She is seen above with Representative Elijah Cummings who attended the memorial service for her children on Sunday 

The children's mother, Congress staffer Katie Malone, is still recovering from smoke inhalation and burns. She is seen above with Representative Elijah Cummings who attended the memorial service for her children on Sunday 

Firefighters haven't yet determined what exactly started the fire which tore through the house at 12.30am on January 12 

Firefighters haven't yet determined what exactly started the fire which tore through the house at 12.30am on January 12 

Jack and Jane were saved by their older sister Erin who woke them and their mother up in time for them to escape. They are pictured being taken away from the house on January 12 

Jack and Jane were saved by their older sister Erin who woke them and their mother up in time for them to escape. They are pictured being taken away from the house on January 12 

Local businesses vowed to donate entire day's sales to the family and candlelit vigils were held across the city in their memory. 

Mrs Malone, who worked for Representative Elijah Cummings, previously thanked well-wishers in a Facebook post. 

'I would like to thank everyone for their kind thoughts, prayers and generous donations.

'While it will be impossible to replace everything that we have lost, I am strengthened by the outpouring of love and support my family and I have received,' she said.

Each of the children had a table laid out with a photograph for mourners to pay their respects on Sunday at the memorial service. Two-year-old Billy was remembered with a Tigger and Pooh book and a Tigger cuddly toy

Each of the children had a table laid out with a photograph for mourners to pay their respects on Sunday at the memorial service. Two-year-old Billy was remembered with a Tigger and Pooh book and a Tigger cuddly toy

Eleven-year-old Bridgette's memorial included a Hamilton musical calendar, a coloring in book and a DVD of State Fair 

Eleven-year-old Bridgette's memorial included a Hamilton musical calendar, a coloring in book and a DVD of State Fair 

Three-year-old Amanda had My Little Pony toys and a Snow White figurine placed next to her photograph 

Three-year-old Amanda had My Little Pony toys and a Snow White figurine placed next to her photograph 

All of the six children were honored at the memorial where strangers and friends were invited to pay their respects. Sisters Gemma and Maria Bartlinski (above) hugged as they paid their respects

All of the six children were honored at the memorial where strangers and friends were invited to pay their respects. Sisters Gemma and Maria Bartlinski (above) hugged as they paid their respects

Police chaplain Ernest Davis Jr. bows his head in prayer as he pays his respects to the children
Dalton Morkovin, 10, (right) was friends with Amelia.

Police chaplain Ernest Davis Jr. bows his head in prayer as he pays his respects to the children (left). Dalton Morkovin, 10, (right) was friends with Amelia. He was brought to the memorial service by his mother Michelle Morkovin

Mr Malone, who attended the event alone as his wife recovered at her parents' house, said the outpouring of support had been 'amazing' 

Mr Malone, who attended the event alone as his wife recovered at her parents' house, said the outpouring of support had been 'amazing' 

She said it was 'impossible to fathom' having to plan a funeral for so many of the children. 

Eight-year-old Erin Malone saved her mother and two siblings by waking them up as flames tore through the house. 

The fire hit all three levels of the house. It's not clear how some of the children were able to escape while others weren't. 

Fire fighters are still investigating what caused the fire but previously said it may have been started by a space heater.

A GoFundMe page set up for the family has raised $360,000 of its $500,000 target 

A GoFundMe page set up for the family has raised $360,000 of its $500,000 target 

Mrs Malone previously said it was 'impossible to fathom' having to plan a funeral for so many of her children. L-R: Bridgette, Zoe, Jane, Amanda, William, Jack, Daniel, Erin and Amelia 

Mrs Malone previously said it was 'impossible to fathom' having to plan a funeral for so many of her children. L-R: Bridgette, Zoe, Jane, Amanda, William, Jack, Daniel, Erin and Amelia 

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