Three of the five children who died in a Pennsylvania day care center fire were the kids of a local volunteer firefighter who was battling a separate blaze just blocks away, according to officials.

Luther Jones’ children were at the Harris Family Day Care in Erie overnight when the deadly fire ripped through the home at 1:15 a.m., according to Erie News Now.

In a tragic twist, Jones worked for neighboring Lawrence Park Fire Department and was only battling a blaze in Erie because locals crews were desperately trying to rescue his kids at the day care center, the report said. The dad had dropped off his kids at the day care center so he could go to work.

The victims ranged in age from 8 months to 7 years, officials said.

The blaze might not have been so deadly had the home been equipped with more smoke detectors, Erie Fire Chief Guy Santone told CNN. Only one was found in the attic of the home.

“If there were the proper amount of smoke detectors in this structure, then most, if not all, would have survived,” Santone said.

Lawrence Park Volunteer Fire Department Chief Joe Crotty called it “unthinkable,” telling NBC, “It’s really beyond comprehension.”

“Organizationally and individually, we are heartbroken by the recent tragic fire in the City of Erie. We are grieving deeply as this has affected one of our members,” the department said on Facebook.

“We offer our heartfelt thanks to the Erie Firefighters and all units on scene for their heroic efforts.”