Girl, 7, dies in house fire on Washington Avenue

A house fire about 3 a.m. Sunday claimed the life of a 7-year-old girl on Washington Avenue in Lorain.

A 7-year-old girl died in a house fire early Aug. 25 in Lorain, according to the Lorain Fire Department and Lorain County Coroner’s Office.

Firefighters, along with the Ohio State Fire Marshal’s Office, are investigating the cause and origin of the blaze at 1912 Washington Ave., said fire Assistant Chief Jonathon George.

Firefighters were called about 3:14 a.m. and found the house engulfed in flames, with about 50 percent of the structure on fire, George said.

There were six occupants and five escaped, he said.

“We didn’t really have much of a chance for a rescue,” George said. Firefighters found the girl at her bedroom doorway, apparently trying to get out, he said.

At shift change, the mood was subdued at Lorain’s Central Fire Station.

“Anytime a kid’s involved, it’s pretty emotional,” George said. “It’s

sad and it’s the hardest part of our job.”

Lorain County Coroner Dr. Stephen Evans confirmed a 7-year-old girl was taken to Mercy Health - Lorain and was pronounced dead there. It appeared her injuries were fire-related, Evans said.

Late Aug. 25, it was unclear if there would be an autopsy, but Evans said he expected more information the next day.

The coroner’s office and fire department did not release the name of the girl.

The fire investigators worked into the afternoon at the house, along with a watch crew to ensure the flames did not reignite in the remaining structure.

At the house, the front porch steps held a number of stuffed animal toys placed in memory of the girl.

Sondra Diane Williams, a west side resident, said she came because her greatgrandchildren wanted to drop off a little spotted puppy dog toy for the girl.

Some neighborhood children also were in the yard and talked about details of the events from earlier. Their information could not be confirmed through adult witnesses or investigators late Aug. 25.

Even so, it was horrible for children to have to know about a little girl’s death, Williams said.

“I wanted to cry,” she said.

RICHARD PAYERCHIN — THE MORNING JOURNAL A house fire early Aug. 25 claimed the life of a 7-year-old girl at 1912 Washington Ave., Lorain, according to the Lorain Fire Department and Lorain County Coroner’s Office. The girl’s name was not released and the cause remains under investigation.

RICHARD PAYERCHIN — THE MORNING JOURNAL This shows the back of the residence.