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West Toledo house fire claims 5-year-old's life

Crews with the Toledo Fire Department say a little girl has died after a fire broke out early Friday morning at a home in the 6000 block of Van Wormer near Jackman and Alexis.

TOLEDO, OH (Toledo News Now) - Crews with the Toledo Fire Department say a  5-year-old girl has died after a fire broke out early Friday morning at a home in the 6000 block of Van Wormer near Jackman and Alexis in west Toledo.

The girl, identified as Olivia Cline, was asleep in her room on the second floor when the fire occurred. Lt. Hertzfeld of TFD told us firefighters broke the window to enter Cline's room.

Cline was discovered after several minutes of searching in high heat and extremely low visibility.  She was taken to the hospital immediately, where she was pronounced dead.

Five people were reportedly in the house when the fire started.  The remaining four people were able to exit the house safely.

Neighbors grabbed garden hoses to help put out the flames before crews arrived.  A second fire crew worked on putting out the fire while the first searched for the young child.

"Our job as professional firefighters is to rescue people from a fire, car wreck or drowning," said TFD Lt. Matthew Hertzfeld. "When you involve children in that, it takes on a special sense for you. A fire like this morning are the types of fires that will stay with you, and if you have kids, there is a special relationship you have that makes you think about that when you are involved in an incident like that."

The house is still structurally sound, but has suffered heavy damage in the back of the home.

The cause of the fire is still undetermined, but fire officials say there were two working smoke alarms in the home.

Neighbors say Olivia Cline was preparing to start the first grade.

A fund has been set up to help the Cline family with funeral expenses. You can donate in their name at any Fifth Third Bank.

Anyone interested in helping the family, can also drop off donations at Good Times Bar on Jackman, Sunday from 3pm until 7pm.

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