ASHTABULA COUNTY, Ohio — Firefighters from multiple agencies remain on scene Friday afternoon following a fatal residential fire in Austinburg Township that claimed the lives of a young mother and two children. The fire broke out around 7:30 a.m. at a residence in the 2100 block of Jefferson Eagleville Road, according to authorities.
Marsha Cooper said that her 25-year-old daughter, Jolene Cooper, along with her grandchildren, 5-year-old Celeste Kershaw and 3-year-old Atreus Kershaw, were trapped inside the home and died in the fire. The victims were reportedly on the second floor of the residence when the flames spread rapidly, leaving them unable to escape.
Cooper said the building was an old barn that had been converted into apartments. She explained that alternative heat sources were being used to warm the home due to a maintenance issue. Propane tanks inside the residence may have contributed to the fire’s rapid spread, though officials have not yet confirmed the cause.
Three other people were injured in the fire and transported to a local hospital, where they were later treated and released. Among them was a 1-year-old child who was thrown from a window by an adult in a desperate effort to escape the flames. The child survived the fall and is expected to recover.
Geneva Fire Department Chief David Shook said firefighters were still battling hot spots hours after the initial response. He noted that the scene presented several challenges, including tight access and weather conditions. “The area is a very narrow road, so any of the stuff we’re doing, it’s tight, especially with the weather. It makes everything challenging,” Shook said. A state fire marshal has been called in to assist with the investigation.
Deputies from the Ashtabula County Sheriff’s Department are also assisting at the scene. Officials say the fire remains under investigation as crews work to determine what caused the deadly blaze. The community is mourning the devastating loss of life, as investigators continue working to uncover how the tragedy unfolded.
