Church deacon and his 2 sons identified as victims killed in house fire on Milwaukee's north side

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The three family members who were tragically killed in a house fire on the city's north side Wednesday morning have been identified, according to the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner’s Office.

City officials confirmed on Thursday that 83-year-old Ernest Ray Sr. and his two sons, Ernest Ray Jr., 57, and Erwin Ray, 53, were the victims who died in a house fire near North 33rd St. and W. Fairmount Ave.

Milwaukee Fire Chief Aaron Lipski said that the exact cause of the fire is still under investigation, though it likely started due to an appliance or utility since it sparked near the basement furnace and water heater. In addition, authorities believe no working smoke detectors were in the home at the time of the incident.

"I told my wife this morning that I felt like I just woke up to a bad dream but, I thank God that I met Deacon Ray and that he was a part of our church family," said Rev. Dimitri Mack.

Rev. Mack said he is a part of the United Christian Church, which recently merged with Mount Ephraim Baptist Church. He said he's known Ray Sr. for about 12 years and even ordained him as a deacon.

"He loved to sing, he loved to open up morning worship and so, he was excited every Sunday about singing," he recalled. "We're going to miss him leading the worship."

Rev. Mack said the deacon had seven children, two of which he took extra care of.

"He loved both of those boys...they both were disabled and had some mental challenges and so, he showed so much love and so much compassion," he added.

Pastor Mack said he had just spoken to Ray Sr. a couple weeks ago about March Madness; he said there's no doubt Deacon Ray was heavily invested in his community.

"A great pillar in the Church, dedicated, loved everyone, everyone loved Deacon Ray; he loved the Wisconsin sports, he loved the Bucks, the Brewers, the Packers," he said.

Rev. Mack said Ray Sr. would want people to remember him as someone who always lent a helping hand.

"Reach people where they are and do what you can to help someone that's in need, someone that can't do for themselves," he concluded.