Friends, and neighbors made a make-shift memorial in memory of Tristan Oesterling, 2, who died New Yearís Eve after his family's home caught on fire on Knox Avenue in Butler.

As the victims of a fire last week on Knox Avenue in Butler deal with their grief after losing a 2-year-old family member and the hospitalization of their 1-year-old for burns, they remain overwhelmed at the generosity of Butler County residents who have donated money, clothes, furniture, household items, food and gift cards as they try to rebuild their lives.

The fire at noon New Year's Eve claimed the life of Tristan Oesterling, 2, who was unable to escape the fast-moving blaze despite the desperate efforts of his father, Donovan Oesterling.

Oesterling had already removed his children Jazmine, 4 and Jax, 1, from the burning home, but black smoke and heat prevented him from re-entering the home to retrieve Tristan.

The children's mother, Deidra Anthony, was at work at the time of the fire.

Luke Nelson, deputy fire marshal from State Police Troop D in New Castle, said the fire remains under investigation.

This is an excerpt from Tuesday's Butler Eagle. Subscribe online or in print to read the full article.