An 11-year-old girl died Saturday night while trying to save her dog from a house fire in Spalding County, Georgia, her uncle announced.
11-year-old Caitlin Simmons reportedly ran back into the burning house to save her puppy, Little Man. Sadly, Simmons and her dog passed away unable to leave the house, Fox 5 report. When emergency personnel arrived, the house was already engulfed in flames. Spalding County Firefighter who spoke to the outlet.
Latest news: 11-year-old girl dies while trying to save dog in Spalding house fire, family says https://t.co/hfX6zwjjmj
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Simmons’ uncle, Charles Beecher, spoke to Fox 5 following the tragic incident.
“She ran upstairs because she was worried about the dog upstairs,” he said. “Caitlin, she’s an animal lover just like the rest of us. She went upstairs and picked up that puppy. His name was ‘Little Man.'” (Related article: ‘Too Hot’: Furious (Video shows police desperately trying to save 11-year-old from fire)
“She was the joy of life. She was a cheerleader. She was into everything. I mean, it’s heartbreaking. It’s hard,” Beecher said.
One firefighter was sent to the hospital for treatment, and all other firefighters at the scene were provided counseling services to help them cope with the tragedy, Fox 5 reported.
“We’re going to go in with that attitude, folks. We’re going to do everything we can within that. [what’s] It’s humanly possible to try to change things,” Director of Operations Mike Byrd told FOX 5. [are] It’s really tragic for us. ”
The family erected a memorial outside their home in Catelyn’s memory. gofundme It has been set.
“The Rollins family has been devastated by the loss of their home and their beautiful 11-year-old daughter, Kaitlyn. The funds secured will go toward housing, clothing, and a bed for sweet Kaitlyn,” the GoFundMe page reads. has been written.
