1-year-old girl dies after house fire near 28th and Meinecke: 'She was something special'

28th and Meinecke

MILWAUKEE -- A 1-year-old girl died after a house fire on Milwaukee's north side Saturday, Feb. 10, the medical examiner confirmed on Sunday.

Family members told FOX6 News Quamyiia Owens just celebrated her first birthday in December. She was rushed to the hospital with serious injuries after the fire, and sadly, she did not survive.

"Quamyiia, you're going to be missed girl. You're going to be truly missed," a cousin said.

Fire crews and police responded to the area near 28th and Meinecke Saturday night around 10 p.m. Officials said one person sustained serious injuries and was taken to the hospital in critical condition.

The Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's Office confirmed Sunday a 1-year-old girl who was rescued from the fire died at the hospital.

"It was heartbreaking for us. She was only one. She was only one," a cousin said. "She was something special. She sure was."

Firefighters said the girl was rescued from the first floor. Family members said there were people living on both floors. Officials said the home did have working smoke detectors.

"These were my neighbors. My kids did play with those children," Charlicia Brown said.

Brown said she can only imagine what her friends are going through.

"I am a parent and I couldn't fathom, you know, what I would do if that happened to me," Brown said.

With doors boarded up and windows smashed, Brown said investigators were canvassing the property for hours. She said she hopes this was all just a terrible accident.

"A lot of the firefighters and first responders were looking at the back of the house and I was just wondering -- why would they be looking in the back of the house?" Brown said.

The circumstances leading up to the fire are under investigation. Police and the State Fire Marshal are involved.

28th and Meinecke

An autopsy is scheduled for Monday.