Officials reported that an early-morning house fire in Virginia claimed the lives of a grandmother, her nine-year-old granddaughter, and the family dog.
Fourth-grader Kaysie Anne Arancibia, who had been injured in the fire, was taken to a nearby hospital but eventually passed away. Additionally dying was the family’s pet dog.
Patricia Stoderl, a grandma, died from her injuries early on Wednesday morning. She was 67 years old.
According to WUSA9 News, Maurcio Arancibia, Kaysie’s father, “his spirit is devastated and his heart is in a million pieces.”
‘She was a happy kid, who had a whole future ahead of her,’ Arancibia said, in part. ‘She always used to smile and be playful. Her memory is always just embedded in my heart.’
The exact cause of the fire is still under investigation by fire officials, but according to the news source, Arancibia believes his daughter perished from smoke inhalation.
According to a fire department press statement posted on Facebook, Fairfax County Fire and Rescue received a call at 1:44 am on Tuesday to the single-family residence on Barrett Road in Falls Church.
Although they are still looking into the precise cause, fire authorities suspect the blaze began at the back of the property. It is also unknown if the home had operational smoke detectors, according to a report.
Two white wooden crosses with the names of the deceased and satchels of flowers left by mourners are placed outside the house.
Candles, teddy animals, flowers, and images of the child victim are scattered throughout the scene.
A GoFundMe was set up by Missy Carine, a friend of the mother, Crystal, to assist with the costs of the funerals for both her daughter and mother.
‘Crystal lost her mother and little girl today. Kaysie was a 9 year old fun, energetic, funny, smart little girl who passed away way too soon,’ Carine wrote.
‘Crystal’s mom Tricia was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. Who always put others needs before her own.’
