An 11-year-old girl died while trying to save her dog in a house fire in Georgia, her family says. FOX5 Atlanta.
On Saturday night, a fire consumed a home outside the Griffin city limits on Sidney Drive in Spalding County. Firefighters told FOX 5 the home was completely destroyed.
The victim’s uncle identified the girl as Caitlin Simmons.
“She always had a smile on her face,” Simmons’ uncle Charles Beecher told the TV station. “I’m going to miss that.”
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Katelyn Simmons, 11, was a cheerleader, her family told local media. (Family provided to FOX 5 Atlanta)
Beecher said the child was trying to be a hero when he died around 5:30 p.m.
“She ran upstairs because she was worried about the dog upstairs,” he explained. “Caitlin, she’s an animal lover like the rest of us. She went upstairs and picked up the puppy. His name was ‘Little Man.'”
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Caitlin Simmons was trying to save her dog, which was on the second floor of her home at the time of the fire. (Family provided to FOX 5 Atlanta)
Neither Caitlin nor the dog could escape. Beecher said her voice hurt when she talked about the loss, but now her family has memories.
“I helped take care of them and was there for them the entire time.” [her mother] It worked out well,” Beecher said.
A small memorial stands outside the home that was destroyed in a fire on April 6, 2024. (FOX 5 Atlanta)
The Spalding County Fire Department’s chief of operations told FOX 5 that crews tried to rescue the girl, but by the time they arrived, the home was fully engulfed in flames. Responding firefighters were provided counseling services to help them process the tragedy.
Spalding County Fire Department Chief of Operations Mike Byrd told FOX 5, “We’re here for you guys. We’re going to do everything humanly possible to make a difference.” told 5. [are] It’s very tragic for us. ”
According to FOX 5, Caitlin’s brother and two other people were in the home at the time of the fire and survived.
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According to , Caitlin was a student at Cowan Road Middle School. WSB TV. She was a cheerleader for the Spalding and Pike County recreation departments and lived with her mother, brother and stepfather, family members told a local television station. Firefighters sprained her ankle and carried Katelyn out of the home, according to WSB.
Local residents mourned Catelyn’s death and a small memorial was left outside her home.
Investigators determined the fire was accidental. A spokesperson for the Spalding County Fire Department told FOX News Digital that the incident occurred in the first floor living room area of the home.
