An Ohio house fire described as "hellish" by the Cincinnati Fire Department Fire Chief took the lives of a 21-year-old woman and a 2-year-old toddler on Sunday, March 9. Ten other people were injured, with ages ranging from 3 months to 48 years.
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According to a press release issued by the Cincinnati Fire Department and shared with PEOPLE, the fire started at around 1 p.m. at 754 Summit Avenue, located in the Price Hill neighborhood. As firefighters arrived, they were met with various individuals who decided to jump out of windows. They were forced to escape the heat of the "hellish" fire, as described by the Fire Chief, reported by WKRC.
These individuals informed arriving firefighters that two other individuals were missing at the time. "Cincinnati firefighters mounted a heroic attempt to search out and assist the missing parties," the press release reads. However, they were forced out of the building as the fire grew stronger.
Hours later, once the fire was under control, the firefighters located both individuals who, unfortunately, succumbed to the fire. They were a 21-year-old woman and a two-year-old toddler. In an email shared with PEOPLE, the Hamilton County Coroner's Office identified the victims as Nyla Harrow, 21, and Jayceon McGee, 2.
Ten additional people were injured by the fire, ages ranging from 3 months to 48 years. All of them were taken to the hospital. According to WKRC, seven of the ten injured individuals were children. One of the injured is currently in serious condition while the other nine are stable.
"There are 12 people displaced by the fire and the dollar loss has not yet been established," the press release continued. "Red Cross is on scene supporting the affected families, and the Salvation Army is on scene supporting first responders."
Fire Victims Tribute
WKRC reported on Instagram about the heartfelt tribute that the family and friends of the deceased paid to them, near the family home. Howard Curtis, Nyla's stepfather and Jayceon's third cousin, addressed the crowd gathered at the scene
"What I do on the count of three, I want everybody to say 'I love,' alright, really, this is what it's all about," Curtis said. "It's about love, you all coming out here because you are showing us love for our losses. On the count of three, say 'I love,' one, two, three, 'I love.'"
Another family member asked for prayers during the tribute. "I want everybody to say a prayer for them tonight and make everything right for everybody," the family member said. "I'm glad that everybody came here and you all showed love to my babies, my grandbabies."
Following the tribute, family members of the injured visited them at the hospital. The cause of the house fire, as per the initial investigation, appears to be accidental, but investigations continue at the moment.
