A Tennessee family is coping with a sudden and unexpected tragedy. Early on Christmas morning, a house fire broke out. Two young sisters were killed, and although their mom survived, she was seriously injured. The day of family joy had suddenly turned into horror and tragedy with the loss of two young lives. Now, the mom, Nicole Blevins, is fighting for her life in a burn unit after the fatal fire. She will have a lot of healing to do, not just physically but also emotionally. There are no words to describe the weight of the loss for Blevins. Currently, the cause of the fire is still under investigation, and no leads have been given about what it could have been.
According to a news release shared with People, the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office noted that authorities received reports of a house fire at 6:15 a.m. December 25, 2025. The sheriff’s office shared at the time that two people were killed in the blaze and someone else had been taken to the hospital.
Days later, the people who died were identified as 11-year-old Riley Blevins and her sister, 9-year-old Maggie, WJHL reported. Their mother was the one who was injured in the fire and was listed in critical condition. She was identified as Nicole Blevins in a Facebook post by real estate business The Addington Agency.
“Please join us in lifting the Blevins family up in prayer… for healing… for strength… and for peace during this incredibly difficult time,” the post read. “Hold your loved ones close today, and please keep Nicole and her family in your prayers!”
Agents from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation are assisting with the investigation of the house fire, WCYB reported. They said it is common for TBI fire investigators to respond to incidents with are fatalities or where buildings are destroyed.
Nicole Blevins’ sister, Lacie Hafley, started a GoFundMe account to help her sister.
“My sister lost everything in a house fire that completely burned her home to the ground,” Hafley wrote on the page, which has raised more than $280,000 thus far. “In that fire, she tragically lost her two only daughters, her home, and her car. There are no words that can truly capture this level of loss.”
She explained that Blevins is “fighting for her life” in a North Carolina burn unit. “Her road ahead will be long and painful — physically, emotionally, and financially,” Hafley added on the page. “Right now, she has nothing. No home to return to. No belongings. And she will face overwhelming medical expenses, rehabilitation, travel costs, and future living needs on top of the unbearable grief of losing her children.”
The girls attended Boones Creek Elementary, the Johnson City Press reported.
“We’ll have counselors available and mental health specialists… for adults and children,” Washington County Director of Schools Jerry Boyd shared in a statement to the outlet. Sullivan County Director of Schools Chuck Carter also expressed sadness at the loss of the girls.
