Fundraisers For Aurora Family Whose 4-Year-Old Died In Fire

AURORA, IL -- Just days after a townhome fire left a four-year-old Aurora girl dead and her 25-year-old mother and infant sister badly burned, the Kane County Coroner's Office has released the name the young girl and her cause of death. Ryan Elizabeth March, 4, was pronounced dead just before 2:30 p.m., officials say. Initial findings indicate that the cause of Ryan's death was smoke inhalation.

Since the tragedy, which also left Ryan's family without their home, community members are bonding together to raise funds to help the family. As of Friday, two separate GoFundMe campaigns had raised a total of nearly $30,000 to help the family in the aftermath.

Ryan was found deceased after the fire, which broke out in the 1800 block of Carnation Court Wednesday, fire officials said. Her mother and five-month-old sister were airlifted to Loyola Hospital.

One of the campaigns, started by the Ryan's aunt, included a heartfelt tribute to the four-year-old and her family. Alexa March wrote on GoFundMe,

"How do I even try to put this into words??? My brother and his wife experienced a horrific house fire today. They lost EVERYTHING. This fire took the life of their beautiful 4 year old daughter. For most of you that know me, that little girl was also my world, my best friend. This loss is unimaginable. She was so full of life.. always laughing and smiling!"

She went on to say, "At this moment, I’m asking for help for my brother and his family for all medical costs, etc. if you are unable to donate - that’s fine! - all I ask is for you to PRAY!"

As of Friday, community members had donated more than $19,000 to March's "Aurora House Fire" fundraiser.

A separate fundraiser, started by Patience Dougherty, a friend of the family, had raised more than $9,000 to help the victims as of Friday.

Doughtery wrote on the GoFundMe page,

"It still brings chills through my whole body to try and imagine this tragic thing that has happened. All the things that pile on top of the already constant pain [the 25-year-old mother] is in! Why... we don’t know. What we do know is she is remarkable and her [5-month old] daughter is fighting just like her mamma! This fire took a lot from them. Trying to help we sit on the side not really knowing how to help her even in the smallest way. Trying to help alleviate maybe just a tiny bit of the burden she is set forth to carry now and in the future. By prayers, her loving family surrounding her, donations, and love coming from people that she may not know. Amazing, just amazing what even the smallest amount from so many people can do for a road of recovery!"

Fire officials are still investigating what caused the deadly blaze, which they believe started in the home's living room.