ASHTABULA COUNTY, Ohio — Firefighters from multiple jurisdictions remained on scene through Friday afternoon after a fatal residential fire in Austinburg Township claimed the lives of three people. The blaze broke out around 7:30 a.m. in the 2100 block of Jefferson Eagleville Road, according to authorities.

Marsha Cooper announced that her 25-year-old daughter, Joline Cooper, along with her grandchildren, 5-year-old Celeste Kershaw and 3-year-old Atreus Kershaw, were trapped inside the building and died in the fire. The victims were located 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 repurposed into apartments. Due to a maintenance issue, alternative heating sources were being used inside the home. She believes propane tanks inside the residence may have accelerated the fire’s 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 in a desperate effort to escape the flames. Authorities said the child survived and is expected to recover.

Geneva Fire Department Chief David Shook said firefighters continued working Friday afternoon to extinguish remaining hot spots and secure the scene. He noted that conditions at the location made firefighting efforts more difficult. “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. Deputies from the Ashtabula County Sheriff’s Department also assisted at the scene.

A state fire marshal has been called in to help investigate the blaze. Officials say the investigation remains ongoing as crews work to determine the exact cause of the fire. The community is mourning the tragic loss of life as authorities continue examining the circumstances that led to the deadly incident.