Local

25-year-old mother dies saving sister in New Year's Day house fire

WADESBORO, N.C. — A 25-year-old mother died in a New Year’s Day house fire in Anson County.

Jasmine Burch, from Pageland, was one of five people inside the house on White Store Road in Wadesboro when the fire broke out around 10:30 a.m.

Four other people were able to get out of the home, including a handicap adult, but Burch died in the fire.

A Christmas wreath still hung on a broken window. Other windows were missing where people tried to climb out to escape.

Gwen Burch-Myers told Channel 9 reporter Greg Suskin that her daughter Jamine Burch always had on a smile.

Burch tried to fight the fire and was overcome by smoke, officials told Channel 9. Burch was mother to a 6-year-old daughter, Ja'Kirah.

"We were just like two peas in a pod," Burch-Myers said.

Burch-Myers said Burch died saving her sister.

"I understand she pushed her sister out the window. She told her to open the front door, and she just didn't make it back," Burch-Myers said.

The family is still in shock and disbelief.

Channel 9 was there Monday as family members and friends saw the house for the first time.

"It's just hard. When I found out I had just got off work, and I was like, "It can't be true,'" a cousin said.

"I loved her very dearly. She's my only daugher," Burch-Myers said.

The other four people were taken to the hospital for smoke inhalation, as well as minor cuts and lacerations.

Firefighters said the fire was started by a candle in the kitchen/dining room.

The house is a total loss. Red Cross has been called in to help.

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