Pregnant Mother and Her Two Children Killed in Philadelphia House Fire Allegedly Set by Relatives Amid Bitter Family Feud

PHILADELPHIA, PA — A heartbreaking and shocking tragedy has gripped the city of Philadelphia after a pregnant mother and her two young children were killed in a house fire that investigators now say was deliberately set — by members of their own family.

The fire broke out around 5 a.m. on June 13 in the Strawberry Mansion neighborhood. Killed in the blaze was 31-year-old Ashley Thompson, who was seven months pregnant, along with her two children — Assad, 6, and Alaya, 4. The family was asleep when flames tore through the home, leaving them trapped inside. Ashley was found dead on the second floor. Her children were pulled out alive but later succumbed to their injuries at the hospital.

On June 25, Philadelphia Police arrested 67-year-old Charles Sumpter and 44-year-old Fleitte Newell, both family members of the victims, and charged them with multiple counts of murder, arson, and criminal conspiracy.

Deadly Family Dispute Turns Fatal

According to investigators and surviving family members, the fire was the culmination of a long-simmering property dispute between sisters. Sherry Jackson, who escaped the fire with another child, told detectives she had been locked in a legal and emotional battle with her sister, Fleitte Newell, over the house where the fire occurred.

Jackson says she repeatedly warned authorities about threats made by Newell — including a terrifying one where Newell allegedly vowed to “burn the house down with her in it.” Tragically, those words became a reality, and an innocent woman and three children — including an unborn baby — are now gone.

“This was not just arson. It was a deliberate, hateful act,” Jackson said. “Ashley and her babies were caught in the crossfire of a war they had nothing to do with.”

Arrest and Charges

After an intensive investigation involving the Philadelphia Fire Marshal’s Office, Philadelphia Police Department, and the District Attorney’s Office, authorities say surveillance footage, witness statements, and forensic evidence tied Sumpter and Newell to the crime. Both are now being held without bail and face charges including first-degree murder, aggravated arson, endangering the welfare of children, and reckless endangerment.

Prosecutors say they are considering the death penalty due to the severity of the case and the involvement of multiple child victims.

Community in Mourning

The deaths of Ashley and her children have sparked outrage and heartbreak across Philadelphia. Community members have held multiple vigils outside the burned home on North 28th Street, leaving flowers, balloons, and handwritten notes.

Ashley Thompson was remembered as a devoted mother who worked hard to provide for her kids. “She had just picked out a name for her baby — Serenity,” a family friend shared. “She was planning a baby shower next month.”

Neighbors described the children as joyful and bright. Assad had just graduated from kindergarten, and Alaya loved playing dress-up and painting.

“She was a good mom. Those kids were happy. They didn’t deserve this,” said one neighbor who witnessed firefighters trying to rescue them.

Call for Change

In the wake of the tragedy, city leaders and advocates are calling for stronger interventions in domestic property disputes, better protection for families facing intra-family violence, and early warning systems for threatening behavior in familial conflicts.

District Attorney Larry Krasner vowed to seek justice: “This was a premeditated, monstrous crime. We will hold those responsible accountable. No family should ever experience this kind of betrayal and horror.”

Funeral and Fundraising

A public memorial is being planned for early July. Meanwhile, a GoFundMe campaign has raised tens of thousands of dollars to cover funeral expenses and provide grief counseling for the surviving family.

“Ashley was our light. Her children were our joy. We are devastated,” the family said in a statement. “Please keep us in your prayers.”

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence or threats related to family disputes, contact the Philadelphia Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-866-723-3014.