2 weeks after fire that killed 2 teenagers, family thanks community for help

COVENTRY, OH. More than two weeks have passed since a devastating fire in Coventry claimed the lives of two teenagers and seriously injured their grandmother.

Abigail Mates, 17, and her brother Adrian Mates-Mata, 15, died after a fire broke out at their home on Cove Boulevard around 3 a.m. on October 30.

Two teenagers have died in a house fire in Coventry

RELATED: Two teenagers have died in a house fire in Coventry

Mary Rodriguez, 68, remains in critical condition in the burn unit at Akron Children’s Hospital.

According to her son, Donnie Carpenter, Rodriguez suffered burns over 50 percent of her body.

“She’s had two skin graft surgeries and she needs to have surgery (a tracheotomy) to help her breathe because she’s struggling to breathe,” Carpenter said.

Adding to the heartbreaking situation, Rodriguez is currently unable to speak, so the family doesn’t know if she knows her grandchildren died in the fire.

“We did not talk about children with Mary, because there is no connection. I just feel like it’s really unfair,” said Carpenter’s wife, Christine Shreve.

The siblings were students at Coventry High School. Abigail was younger. Adrian was a freshman.

Carpenter and Shreve said Abigail wanted to be a nurse. Adrian was known for his passion for football.

“Just gorgeous, wonderful children. They are good children. They have a big heart,” Shreve said.

The family continues to draw strength from the kindness of the community, including a vigil held several days after the fire.

The Upper Deck Grill and Bar also hosted a fundraiser for the family.

At the McDonald’s where Abigail worked, Coventry art students Ashlyn Smith, Caitlin Osborne, Makayla Quenberry, Kayla Rosser and Julia Kozlowski created a memorial to the siblings on the restaurant’s windows.

McDonald’s also raised $3,239 through 15% of sales, with proceeds going directly to the Mates family to cover funeral expenses.

Carpenter said he’s grateful for the community’s support.

“It means everything, just to give you a little … restores faith in humanity,” Carpenter said. “I also wanted to thank the children they went to school with. These kids have been through a lot.”

The Coventry fire chief said the cause of the fire was undetermined and likely to remain so.