An 11-year-old girl in Georgia died while attempting to rescue her puppy after a fire that destroyed her family’s home, according to her distraught family.
Katelynn Simond and her puppy, Little Man, died despite her efforts during the Saturday afternoon fire that burned the Sidney Drive home just outside Griffin in Spalding County, according to Fox 5 Atlanta.
“She was worried about her dog upstairs, so she ran upstairs,” her stepuncle Charles Beecher told the news source. “Katelynn, like us, is an animal lover.” She went upstairs to get the puppy.”
He mentioned that his niece “always had that smile on her face.” That is what I am going to miss. She was a source of delight in life. She was a cheerleader. She was into everything.
“I mean, that is heartbreaking. “It’s hard,” Beecher added.
WSB-TV stated that the Cowan Road Middle School girl resided with her mother, stepfather, and brother.
Spalding County Fire Chief Mike Byrd stated that his department responded around 5:30 p.m. Saturday.
“We received the call well in advance. “It was visible from over a mile away,” he told the site, adding that rescuers were aware of someone stuck upstairs.
When they found the girl, it was too late to save her, Byrd explained.
“Her stepfather and stepuncle attempted to pursue her but were unsuccessful. They couldn’t get in,” her step-aunt Tressia Perry told WSB-TV. “The family is struggling. They are going through a difficult time.”
Katelynn’s family and neighbors have constructed a memorial outside her home.
“It’s hard knowing I won’t be able to see her again,” Beecher told Fox 5 Atlanta. “It is rough. I mean, eleven years old.” Her life was taken too soon.”
According to the outlet, one firefighter was injured and transported to the hospital for treatment.
An investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing, despite no suspicion of foul play.
The family established a GoFundMe campaign to help with burial costs, shelter, and clothing.
“The community has shown enormous support. It demonstrates how much Katelynn was a light in people’s lives, both those who knew her well and others who only knew her briefly,” organizer Meredith Smith stated.
“Her visit here on earth was short, but her family will experience this for the rest of their lives,” she said.
By Tuesday morning, the account had raised approximately $7,100.
