A farmhouse fire killed a 13-year-old girl just days after she beat cancer.
A teenager’s residence was engulfed in flames after smoldering remnants from Fourth of July fireworks ignited the back of the house early Friday morning.
Merely weeks ago, Jerilynn Brown had won her two-year fight with bone cancer.
“She just rang the bell, and a month later, here we are, and I’m talking about my baby girl,” Jerry, her father, told KMBC.
“To see a young girl who just beat cancer…to have it end like this,” Independence Fire Chief Jimmy Walker said.
“We are all very upset about this as well.”
Brown’s mother, Liz, is currently hospitalized, “fighting for her life due to injuries sustained in the fire,” as mentioned on the Missouri family’s GoFundMe page.
“Her strength and spirit touched everyone who knew her,” the fundraiser said.
“To have her taken so suddenly after all she had endured is beyond heartbreaking.”
Another victim, 52-year-old Marc Anthony Young Sr. also died due to the fire.
According to reports, he suffered burns on 96% of his body before he died in the hospital almost three days after the tragedy.
“He was loved by so many. He never missed a day of work. He wanted better for us all,” his GoFundMe said.
Officials said that farmhouse had no working smoke detectors at the time of the fire.
“This is an excellent opportunity to educate people about general fireworks safety, but it’s also important to ensure that everyone has functioning smoke detectors in their homes,” Walker stated.
“Hours can elapse while a fire smolders… We always have to worry about smoldering fires and the fact that they can go undiscovered for a number of hours and eventually can become out of hand quickly.”
Brown’s father said that she had made “every nurse a present” to thank them before she left the hospital in late June.
From the families’ GoFundMes:
Marc Anthony Young Sr., a 52-year-old, was also killed during the blaze. His GoFundMe, written by his child, read:
“I’m starting this to help Me and Jordan lay our dad to rest peacefully and respectfully. He was a victim of the house fire on July 4, 2025 in Buckner Mo today he passed away after fighting for his life almost 3 days. I don’t even know where to start he was loved by so many. He never missed a day of work. He wanted better for us all. He’s a father, brother ,Uncle, Grandpa. He has 2 grandchildren 3 kids 2 sons and 1 daughter. He loved music and dancing (70-90s r&b , soul, country, rap) was definitely a good soul. Could make friends with literally anyone. Life of the party and very blunt in the most respectful way.”
From Jerilynn Brown’s family:
“In the early morning of July 4th, tragedy struck the lives of Jerry Brown and Liz Stephens in the most unimaginable way. A devastating house fire destroyed their home, taking with it everything they owned—and most heartbreakingly, their 13-year-old daughter, Jerrilynn Brown.
“Jerrilynn was a bright, brave, and beautiful soul who had just overcome a long battle with cancer only two weeks prior. Her strength and spirit touched everyone who knew her. To have her taken so suddenly after all she had endured is beyond heartbreaking.
“In addition to the loss of their beloved daughter and home, Liz is currently in the hospital, fighting for her life due to injuries sustained in the fire. As Jerry stays by her side, they are navigating unbearable grief and overwhelming uncertainty.
“We are raising funds to help cover the cost of Jerrilynn’s funeral, provide essential support for Liz’s ongoing medical care, and assist Jerry and Liz in beginning to rebuild their lives—replacing clothing, personal items, and basic needs that were all lost in the fire.
“No amount can heal this pain, but your support—whether through a donation, a share, or a prayer—can help bring a glimmer of hope to this devastated family.
“Please consider helping in any way you can. Every dollar and every kind word means the world right now. Thank you for your love and support.”
“Every nurse and doctor signed this heart she made,” he said.
“She made it with her love while she was fighting cancer because she is a great person.”
The fundraiser said that the blaze took not only their daughter but “everything they owned.”
“It just crushes my heart that this family is probably never going to have another Independence Day that they’ll enjoy,” Battalion Chief Eric Michel told KSHB.
A firefighter was also hospitalized after being injured in the fire, but was later released, according to the outlet.
“I can’t say for sure that a smoke detector would’ve saved lives in this instance,” Walker said.
“But what I can say is that it wouldn’t hurt.”
