COLONIE, N.Y. -- It's been two days since a devastating house fire on Locust Park in Colonie claimed the lives of three people, and injured two others.
The identities of those killed were officially released by Colonie Police on Wednesday.
Katelyn Ryan, 33, her husband Timothy Ryan, 42, and her mother Lynne Lyons, 72, were unable to escape their home when a fire tore through it Monday night.
Two others, including Katelyn's brother Tommy Lyons Jr, were able to escape the home and taken to a hospital for non life threatening injuries.
Anthony DeRusso-DeMeo, a lifelong friend of Katelyn, described her as "a very special person and a beautiful soul."
Growing up, he said he was close with the family, describing the Lyons as a family deeply rooted in the community.
According to DeRusso-DeMeo, the family's now scorched house was more than just a residence; it was a home filled with memories for multiple generations.
"That was the only home that the family ever knew that had been in the family for multiple generations," DeRusso-DeMeo said. "So [Tommy Lyons Jr] really lost everything that he ever knew in just a few minutes."
DeRusso-DeMeo emphasized the impact on the community, saying, "It was more than a loss, the whole community lost three people and they were all very involved in the community."
Reflecting on his late friend, DeRusso-DeMeo said, "I think it's important to remember Katie as a really great friend to pretty much everybody. Just her smiling face, she was always smiling, she was always singing, always playing the guitar and I know that's something I'm always going to remember about her."
In the wake of the tragedy, Tim Ryan's employer has launched a GoFundMe page to support the family, describing him as a "kindhearted and hardworking individual who made a lasting impact on everyone he met."
"Tim was more than just a valued member of our team -- he was a kindhearted and hardworking individual who made a lasting impact on everyone he met. His commitment to his work and the people he served was unmatched, and his loss has left our entire community grieving," said the GoFundMe.
Since Monday, investigators have been seen on the property, sifting through the charred remains of the Locust Park home looking for clues to what started the deadly fire.
The investigation into the fire's cause is ongoing.