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Four-Year-Old Girl Who Died In Fort Smith Fire Identified

FORT SMITH (KFSM) – The four-year-old girl who died in an apartment fire in Fort Smith on Tuesday morning (Dec. 16) was identified as Erin Tash, officials...

FORT SMITH (KFSM) - The four-year-old girl who died in an apartment fire in Fort Smith on Tuesday morning (Dec. 16) was identified as Erin Tash, officials say.

Her parents were identified as Aaron Tash and Jessica Tucker, and her brother was identified as Tristan, according to the landlord.

The fire took place at 310 S. 14th St.

Aaron Tash was also injured in the fire and treated at the scene, officials said. Jessica Tash was at work when the fire took place, according to officials.

Authorities said the fire was probably caused by an electrical issue in the living room wall around 10 a.m. Tuesday (Dec. 16). Fire officials said the girl's father carried his three-year-old son out, but couldn't get back to 4-year-old Erin Tash because the flames were too hot.

“The father`s initial statement is he had fallen asleep with the children and woke up to the heat,” Sgt. Daniel Grubbs, Fort Smith Police said. “Apparently grabbed the nearest one, went out the front of the apartment and tried to go back in just wasn`t able to do it.”

“When we got here, flames was coming out of the front of the building and we knocked the flames down, made entry just as quick as they could, and they did find a small child in the apartment,” Ronnie Rogers, Fire Marshal said.

Jessica Valencia lives in the home in front of the apartment complex and says she called 911.

“The little girl played with my daughter every day,” she said.

The landlord said Aaron Tash and Jessica Tucker moved into Unit 2 about two months ago.

“One day I was working out here and the little girl`s right here playing, and I didn`t know them very well, but Aaron kind of helped me with a few things here and there,” Jimmy Boston said.

Shannon Morse lives in the unit above where the fire sparked and was able to get out.

“My boyfriend just woke up and come in there and said Shannon I smell smoke and we ran outside,” she said.

Fire Marshal Ronnie Rogers said the apartment complex didn't have working smoke detectors.

All the tenants in the six-unit building were evacuated, and the Red Cross is giving the family and the other tenants a place to stay.

Four-Year-Old Girl Who Died In Fort Smith Fire Identified

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