WAYNESFIELD — Firefighters desperately tried to get inside a house fully engulfed in flames Wednesday morning but were unable to rescue two children who died.
Found dead were Trinity Lhamon, 10, and Keelin Doty, 7. The home is owned by Shawn M. and Amanda Doty, who married in May 2009, according to Auglaize County records.
The fire was reported at 6:43 a.m. by a neighbor calling 911. The house is located just north of the village of Waynesfield at 18339 state Route 196.
Firefighters and police responding to the scene tried to get in the home but were unable because of the intense fire. The two children later were found dead inside, the Sheriff’s Office reported.
The Sheriff’s Office did not report where the parents were and said no further details were being released because of the pending investigation.
The Ohio State Fire Marshal’s Office was called to the scene to assist in the investigation. Auglaize County Coroner Dr. Thomas Freytag also was called.
Waynesfield Goshen Superintendent Chris Pfister said the school system is on spring break until Tuesday but he has met with other school officials and the crisis intervention team to develop a plan for when students come back to school.
The girls who died in the fire were in fourth and first grade, Pfister said.
The school system has 525 student in grades kindergarten through 12th grade, all under one roof, he said.
“It just breaks my heart. The whole Waynesfield school system is with the family and keeping them in our thoughts and prayers,” Pfister said.
Friends of Amanda Doty, 33, began expressing their condolences and support on Facebook while offering prayers for her and her 39-year-old husband.
A GoFundMe account has been set up to raise money for the Doty family at http://j.mp/1XOEYk1. As of 10:30 p.m. Tuesday, the page had raised $23,350 in seven hours from 324 donors. At least seven donors gave $500 each. The goal was $15,000.
