'I Couldn't Get To Them': Ramona Woman Remembers House Fire That Killed 3 Loved Ones

A Ramona woman is sharing her story after surviving a house fire last week that killed her mother, niece, and six-year-old great-nephew. Stephanie Smith says she did all she could to help, but the fire trapped her family inside.

Monday, January 22nd 2024, 5:30 pm



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A Ramona woman is sharing her story after surviving a house fire last week that killed her mother, niece, and six-year-old great-nephew.

Jayne George, Linsay Bowline and six-year-old Laken Bowline all died in the fire that happened on January 12.

Stephanie Smith says she did all she could to help, but the fire trapped her family inside.

Previous Story: 3 Family Members Killed In Ramona House Fire Identified

"We just knew they were going to come back out; we were just waiting for all three of them to come out,” said Stephanie.

Stephanie says this has just been a nightmare. Of course, she's thankful to be alive, but her grief is overwhelming. She and her little great-nephew, who is five years old, were the only ones who made it out alive.

"I'm hanging by a thread right now. It's tough; it is the toughest thing I've had to deal with in my entire life,” said Stephanie.

Stephanie says she is still in shock from the horrible tragedy. Stephanie says she fell asleep on the couch that night and woke up to popping noises and smoke everywhere.

"Flames were going up the walls, the ceiling started coming down. I was yelling. I couldn't get around the corner, so I was yelling,” said Stephanie.

Stephanie says she saw sparks and immediately knew it was an electrical fire from a space heater.

"I could hear them, but I couldn't get to them. So I thought I've got to call 911,” said Stephanie.

Stephanie was able to get out into the front yard, then saw her little five-year-old great nephew running to her, wearing nothing but shorts.

"He told me, momma said this was life or death, and she dropped me,” said Stephanie.

She says her niece Linsay did all she could try to save both her boys. Firefighters battled the freezing temperatures and lack of water but couldn't save the others.

Stephanie says her mother, Jayne, was a Godly woman.

"Anything I knew she would want to come out of this is that people make sure they get their lives right and their walk with God right,” said Stephanie. "So giving and loving, also a pain in the rear, but I'd give anything to have that pain back."

She says Linsay and Laken had just moved in with them a couple of months ago and were bundles of joy.

"They are just amazing and missed so much,” said Stephanie.

Stephanie wants to thank the first responders because she says she knows they did all they could in the horrible conditions.

A GoFundMe has been set up for the family. Click here to donate.

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