A family's worst nightmare played out over the weekend in Middleborough, Massachusetts, as a devastating house fire left a young daughter dead.
The victim, identified Monday as 12-year-old Jasmine Lane, was a student at Nichols Middle School. Students and staff returned to the classroom as they mourn a life taken too soon.
"We lost my 12-year-old daughter, who was more than everything," James Lane said Monday.
Get New England news, weather forecasts and entertainment stories to your inbox. Sign up for NECN newsletters.
Students were met by grief counselors, who are working to make sure they and staff are processing the tragic situation that happened on Pearl Street early Saturday morning.
"Pictures don't do it justice. It's absolutely horrifying," said family friend Adam Maclean. "The most loving family you could ever meet. Would do anything for anyone, and to just hear this is devastating."
"She was a cheerleader. She loved her family. She loved her friends. She loved her sisters," Jasmine's father said. "She wanted to be a babysitter, and she wanted to be a person who — there was so much potential."
Officials said the fire started around 2 a.m. Saturday. At this time it's uncertain what caused it, but when firefighters arrived they noticed heavy flames coming from the first and second floors.
A 61-year-old woman was taken to Rhode Island Hospital with serious burn injuries. A 59-year-old man, and another girl were taken to Good Samaritan Hospital in Brockton for treatment, too.
The parents were away on vacation at the time of the fire.
"Our hearts are broken in a million pieces," James Lane said.
Firefighters have already ruled out the possibility that the fire was started suspiciously, but the investigation into the cause of the blaze is still ongoing.
