MONTMORENCY COUNTY (WWJ) - A 6-year-old girl is dead in Northern Michigan, authorities said, after a fire broke out at her family's home over the weekend.
According to 9&10 News, Assistant Fire Chief of Albert Township Brock Baum said the deadly blaze started around 10:30 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 29, at a home next to the fire station on Sailing Avenue in Albert Twp, Montmorency County.
The town is located roughly 28 miles southeast of Gaylord.
The 6-year-old girl and her 13-year-old sister were the only occupants home at the time of the fire -- while the teen managed to escape, her younger sister did not make it out.
The child was found by firefighters, who said the home was fully engulfed with flames by the time they arrived. The 6-year-old was transported to an area hospital where she later died.
The community is left reeling after the news of the girl's death spread. Johannesburg-Lewiston Area Schools, where the 6-year-old attended school, said they spent most of Monday offering support and grief counseling for students affected by the tragedy.
The loss affected all the schools, Superintendent Katy Xenakis-Makowski said. The victim's two older sisters are in middle school and high school in the same district.
“They did not only lose a child, but they lost everything,” Xenakis-Makowski told 9&10 News. “So we’re looking for a rental to secure in the community for the family so that they can stay in the community and they can help the other children.”
Donations can be made through the Community Financial Credit Union in Gaylord of Lewiston, officials said, while the district plans to collect gift cards and other donations at any Johannesburg-Lewiston school office.
While the cause of the fatal fire remains under investigation, fire crews told 9&10 News they believe a burning candle is to blame.