GREENWICH — The community where an 8-year-old girl lost her life in a fire last weekend has decided to support the family with financial and domestic needs.
Linda Annabelle-Tammie Garay died from smoke inhalation and carbon monoxide poisoning following a fire on June 3, according to the Huron County Coroner, Dr. Jeffrey Harwood.
The fire was reported around noon on Saturday, coming from 41 East Main St. in the southern Huron County village of 1,400, according to a news release issued by Greenwich police.
A police officer that arrived on scene before other emergency personnel entered the burning home multiple times before being “overcome by smoke.” He was later treated and released.
“When firefighters arrived on the scene, less than five minutes following the first 911 call that reported the fire, they quickly made entry and located an 8-year-old child on the second floor of the home,” said Patrick Fox, chief of Greenwich police.
“This incident is tragic and devastating to the involved family, community, and first responders,” Fox said.
The fire is under investigation by the Ohio State Fire Marshal’s Fire and Explosion Investigation Bureau.
“The exact cause of the fire is currently undetermined,” said Andy Ellinger, a public information officer for the fire marshal’s office. “No other details to share at this time.”
Shawna Caskey, a resident of Greenwich and a friend of the family, received permission from the Garays to speak on their behalf.
“I went through a fire when my girls were little,” Caskey said. “I also lost a daughter. She was 25 and I am raising her daughter. So I’ve been through this.
“I relate to the pain Krista is going through. And I relate to the pain they’re all going through losing their home.”
Shortly after the fire, Caskey decided to start a fundraising account through Civista Bank, the “Linda Garay Memorial Fund.” Money raised will be used to cover funeral expenses. As of Wednesday, the account had around $3,629 in it, Caskey said.
She said many people have donated clothing, food and other basic needs. Much of those items are being stored in her garage. Others have donated directly to the funeral home, Eastman Funeral Home.
In addition, Julie Vogel launched a GoFundMe account that reported $5,085 raised as of Thursday.
“Krista is one of the sweetest people I have ever had the privilege to work with. She has a heart of gold,” she wrote on the GoFundMe page.
Caskey said the support for the Garay family has been overwhelming.
“You can say or do anything, but it doesn’t take the pain away,” she said, choking back tears.
Linda’s parents are Krista Lewis and Juan Garay, according to the girl’s obituary. She is survived by her parents, three brothers, great-great-grandparents and many other uncles, aunts, cousins and friends.
“Linda was an always-smiling beacon of love and hope, who gave everyone hugs, and enjoyed baseball and school at South Central, where she had just finished second grade. She was a people person, who loved her brothers, animals, and ‘Stranger Things,’” it reads.
Visitation is scheduled for Thursday from 4 to 7 p.m. at Eastman Funeral Home in Greenwich. A funeral service will be held Friday at 1 p.m and burial will follow at Greenlawn Cemetery.
