Middleboro schools "shocked and saddened" after young girl killed in house fire
MIDDLEBORO – Students in the town of Middleboro are mourning the loss of one of their own, laying flowers at the doorstep of a home on Pearl Street after a fire swept through the building Saturday morning, claiming the life of their classmate.
The Middleboro Public Schools Superintendent released a statement, writing in part, "...We lost one of our Nichols Middle School students who was in a tragic house fire. This unforeseen event has left us all shocked and saddened." The school district will be providing grief counseling services and resources to students and staff as schools re-open Monday after February break. "It is crucial that we provide a safe and nurturing environment for students to process their emotions," the statement continued.
But after such a horrible tragedy - friends say moving on will be almost impossible.
"I am so sorry for what you're going through, you don't deserve this," said the home's owner, Wendy Wyman. She has been the family's landlord for 10 years, getting to know the young girl who's now gone. "She was always smiling. My grandkids live on the same property and any time I went to the house for something and she answered the door and she'd yell out, 'Mom it's the landlord.'"
Wyman said the young girl's parents were away at the time of the fire, now heading home to face the devastating loss.
"I feel so heartbroken for everybody," said Wyman.
The community is now rallying around the family, showing support in anyway they can.
"They've been donating clothes and whatever they can, the GoFundMe that I have going, it's strictly for them. I can't thank everybody enough," said Wyman.
According to fire officials, three other people inside the home were injured and taken to area hospitals. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
