13-Year-Old Girl Dies in Blaze at Her Family Home After Collapsed Staircase Leaves Firefighters Unable to Save Her

A teenage girl has died after a fierce house fire tore through her family’s home in England.

Lily Anne Childs — also known as Lily Kennedy — was killed when flames engulfed a property in Hamstreet, near Ashford, shortly after midday on Dec. 28, according to Kent Online.

A court investigation into Lily’s death, aged 13, was opened on Monday, Jan. 19, at Oakwood House in Maidstone.

“Emergency services were called to reports of a fire and a child being trapped,” Coroner Sarah Clarke said, per Kent Online. “Multiple witnesses called the emergency services, and it was reported that neighbors attempted to rescue the child, but the flames were too aggressive.

“Firefighters tried to get upstairs, but the stairs collapsed, and they could not get access.”

Six fire crews responded to the scene, Metro reported at the time, citing Kent Fire and Rescue Service.

Authorities said ground-floor windows of the home had been blown out, while nearby residents were advised “to close windows and doors due to smoke coming from the incident and to also stay away from the area.”

Emergency services remained at the scene until 7 p.m. local time on Dec. 29 as investigators worked, according to Kent Online. Police said the circumstances surrounding the fire were not being treated as suspicious.

After the blaze at the newly built property, another child was taken to the hospital, along with an adult believed to be Lily’s mother, according to Kent Online and The Daily Mail.

Ann Millington, Chief Executive of Kent Fire and Rescue Service, said, per Metro, “Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with everyone affected by this tragic incident, especially the child’s loved ones.

“We understand this will be a distressing time for the local community and support is available at a welfare hub set up at Hamstreet Village Hall.”

A GoFundMe fundraiser was set up for Lily’s parents, Annemarie Childs and Chris Kennedy.

In a tribute shared on Facebook, Lily’s aunt Marie Louise wrote, “Rest in peace sweet sweet girl xx,” adding in a follow-up post on Dec. 28, “My poor poor niece 😢 thoughts and prayers are with my brother, an lily’s mum 🙏 xx.”

During Monday’s hearing, the coroner said Lily’s medical cause of death appears to be inhalation of fire fumes, though further investigation is needed to confirm.

The investigation is scheduled to continue on March 30.