13-year-old dies in a house fire two weeks after beating cancer

National Post

09-07-2025

A teenager who died in a house fire in Missouri two weeks after beating cancer has left the family and local fire authorities 'heartbroken.'
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The incident took place in the early hours of July 4 and, investigation suggests, appears to be related to fireworks. 'Division of Fire Safety is currently investigating five fires in which fireworks are suspected and in which three people have died,' the authorities said, confirming 'a 13-year-old girl died in the fire' in Buckner, Jackson County.
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'A second person later succumbed to his injuries. At least one other remains hospitalized,' the statement reads.
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Multiple news outlets in the U.S. identified the 13-year-old victim as Jerilynn Brown. The teen had been battling osteosarcoma, a form of bone cancer, for two years and was reportedly discharged from Children's Mercy Hospital late last month.
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'She just rang the bell,' Jerilynn's father Jerry Brown told KMBC. 'And a month later, here we are, and I'm talking about my baby girl.' Jerilynn's mother, Liz Stephens, is in the hospital and fighting for her life due to injuries sustained in the house fire, Jerilynn's stepfather Stephen Miller said.
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'Jerrilynn was a bright, brave, and beautiful soul who had just overcome a long battle with cancer only two weeks prior,' reads a GoFundMe set up for the family. 'Her strength and spirit touched everyone who knew her. To have her taken so suddenly after all she had endured is beyond heartbreaking.' The campaign, with a goal of US$11,000, aims to raise funds for the family to cover funeral and medical expenses.
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'To see a young girl who just beat cancer to have to have it end like this. I'm speaking on all of our folks our heart goes out and we are all very upset about this as well,' Independence Fire Chief Jimmy Walker told Fox 4.
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Authorities said the fire originated on the covered back deck at the residence. Walker also said the smoke alarms inside the home weren't working. 'While they don't extinguish fires they do alert you in early stages of fires to let you get out and stay out and they do save lives,' Walker said, Fox 4 reports.
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