Middleborough community mourns loss of 11-year-old girl who died in weekend fire

MIDDLEBOROUGH, Mass. (WLNE) — Jasmine Lane, an 11-year-old from Middleborough, died in a tragic fire early Saturday morning.

A growing memorial stood in her honor outside the home on Monday.

Jim Lane, Jasmine’s father, said he and his wife were on vacation when they got the call to come home.

“Obviously everything is gone, possessions don’t mean a thing, but my daughter does,” Lane said. “The community has come together in a manner that I can’t even express my gratitude.”

Lane came home to no daughter or home and told ABC 6 his mother is in critical condition after the fire.

Flowers sat near the front steps of the house, honoring the life of Jasmine.

The memorial outside of a home in Middleborough in honor of 11-year-old Jasmine Lane (WLNE)

“I just can’t believe how bad it is, this usually doesn’t happen,” said Middleborough resident Leah Caperello. “I am just very, very sad for the family.”

Crews who responded to the home on Pearl Street on Saturday said heavy flames were coming from the first and second floors of the house.

“I never dreamed I would be walking by such devastation,” said Brehon Herlihy of Middleborough.

Firefighters said they attempted to enter the burning home in order to rescue the girl, but the heavy flames prevented them from getting inside.

Three others inside of the home made it out alive, but with injuries.

A photo of Jasmine Lane (courtesy Jim Lane)

“I feel bad for the first responders that had to go in and save her,” Caperello added. “That is a tragic thing for me…to feel like they had to suffer too.”

The Middleborough School District is offering grief counseling to students and staff.

Nearby residents said the community is coming together to support the family.

“The community is going to try to help them as much as they can,” Caperello said. “But I know that nobody can replace a child.”

The Plymouth County District Attorney’s office said no foul play is suspected, but the cause of the fire remains under investigation.