WINDER, Ga. — A Barrow County family woke up to a Friday morning tragedy after an 8-year-old died when a fire broke out at a home, according to emergency services.
The tragedy unfolded at a home located in the 100 block of Matthew School Road in Winder just around 2:30 a.m.
When firefighters arrived at the scene, they found the home engulfed in flames, family members then notified that someone was still inside the home.
That's when their job turned into a rescue mission to save the child trapped inside.
"Our firefighters made a rapid entry through a bedroom window where the person was reported to be. During the vent, enter, isolate, search mode a subject was found still in one of the beds located in the room," said Barrow County Emergency Services Public Information Officer Scott Dakin.
Firefighters then found the child in the bedroom window and pulled them out. After the child was found, EMS crews cared for them.
“The firefighters worked fast and hard while managing many different operations at one time," said Captain Dakin.
Authorities added that the Winder home was "heavily damaged" after the fire.
Two adults were taken to the hospital, while the 8-year-old child didn't make it.
“I am very proud of the fact that they put their lives at risk in an attempt to give the child the best chance at surviving. My thoughts and prayers will be with the family that suffered such a great loss, and the firefighters who were on the scene," said Deputy Chief Brett Skinner. "My thoughts and prayers will be with the family that suffered such a great loss, and the firefighters who were on the scene."
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
11Alive received a statement from the Barrow County School System saying the child was a student at Kennedy Elementary School.
"Our thoughts are focused on this family and their loved ones," the school system wrote. "We are grateful to our emergency teams who responded to help this family and our counselors and social workers who spent the day at the school to offer support for staff and students."
An online fundraiser has also been set up for the family.
This is a developing story. Check back often for new information.
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