A six-year-old Fayetteville girl is recovering from severe burns in a Little Rock hospital after a fire destroyed her family’s home over the weekend, according to a family member.
Lashay Williams is in stable condition at the Arkansas Children’s Hospital in Little Rock, after her family said they lost everything in a Fayetteville house fire. Jessie Williams, her grandfather, said she suffered burns to half of her body.
Williams got back Tuesday from Little Rock, where he was with his granddaughter.
“She can’t open her eyes,” Williams said of Lashay. “She’s a strong little girl.”
Karen Richardson lives nearby. She said she heard a popping noise, then went outside to investigate. She saw flames and a woman with a child near the burning home on Stone Street.
“The mother was going, ‘Look at my baby,’” Richardson said.
Richardson said she heard the woman tell the fire marshal the fire started in the back bedroom, where a young boy may have been playing with a lighter. Richardson said she and the family held hands and prayed.
“I just asked God, make sure she feels no pain,” Richardson said.
The girl is expected to stay in the hospital for about six months, Williams said.
Williams said he buried his wife three weeks ago, and has now also lost his home. He must stay strong for his granddaughter, though, he said.
“Putting on more than you can bear, they say. I got to bear it,” Williams said. “They ain't got nobody else but me."
The Fayetteville Fire Department is still investigating the fire. The Red Cross helped the family with lodging for a couple of days. Rick Harvey with the Red Cross said they provided them with some money, clothing and shoes.
The family needs donations and neighbors set up an account for them. It's named Jessie Williams Help Relief at Arvest Bank.