A mother who saved her three children from a fire that engulfed their Spalding County home last week has died, officials confirmed Monday.
Madison Summerville, 23, and her children — ages 5, 4 and 3 — were rescued Thursday from their burning home along Old Atlanta Road, not far from the Big Creek area. She was rushed to Wellstar Spalding Medical Center, where she died the following day, Spalding fire Chief Mike Byrd said.
The children were flown to Grady Memorial Hospital, where the youngest, a girl, remains hospitalized for observation, Summerville’s sister, Chasidy Summerville, told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The two boys are back at home.
Credit: Family contributed photo
Credit: Family contributed photo
“Our family is having a terrible time with this because it was so sudden and now it’s just a hole left in our hearts that she once filled with so much joy,” Chasidy Summerville said. “We do find some little comfort knowing she did all she could to save her babies, and then eight more (people were saved) by her organ donation. It’s going to take a long time to make peace with this sudden tragedy. Just continue with prayers for her children and the family.”
Madison Summerville always knew what to say to brighten someone’s day, her sister said.
“She was a bubbly person who you just loved to be around,” she said.
When the fire broke out, neighbors jumped in to help firefighters rescue the victims.
The family has started a GoFundMe campaign to help pay for funeral expenses. As of Monday morning, it had raised more than $4,000.
“She lived a beautiful life even though it was cut short three days after her 23rd birthday,” the family wrote. “She did not have life insurance, so if anyone would like to help us give this beautiful hero an amazing funeral she deserves, all is appreciated.”
The state fire marshal is investigating the cause of the blaze, officials said.
— Please return to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution for updates.
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