Teen Beats Cancer but Tragically Loses Life in House Fire Sparked by Fireworks
Just two weeks after conquering osteosarcoma, 13-year-old Jerilynn Brown of Independence, Missouri, lost her life in a tragic house fire on July 4, 2025.
The blaze, believed to have started from smoldering fireworks left over from the night before, consumed her family’s farmhouse in the early morning hours of the holiday. Firefighters arrived to find the home fully engulfed in flames. While they fought valiantly to control the fire, Jerilynn could not be saved. Her mother, Liz Stephens, and an unidentified man were critically injured; the man later succumbed to his injuries.
Investigators determined that the fire originated on the home’s back deck, where used fireworks had been left unattended. Authorities believe the materials smoldered silently for hours before igniting the fire. Compounding the tragedy, the farmhouse had no working smoke alarms. Fire Chief Jimmy Walker stressed how dangerous smoldering fires can be, often going unnoticed until it’s too late. The event has left the community reeling, prompting peer counselors to assist grieving firefighters and residents alike.
Jerilynn had only recently returned home from the hospital after completing months of treatment for an aggressive form of bone cancer.
Her father, Jerry Brown, described her as a “bright soul” whose compassion and courage left a mark on everyone she met. During her time in the hospital, she crafted personalized gifts for each nurse and doctor, and her strength inspired all who came in contact with her. Her resilience and kindness remain part of her enduring legacy.
A GoFundMe page has been established to support the grieving family as they face the dual loss of their daughter and their home.
As donations and condolences continue to pour in, Jerilynn is remembered on social media as a vibrant, joyful young girl who brought light into every room. In response to the tragedy, fire officials have renewed calls for fireworks safety and public awareness, especially following a spike in similar incidents over the holiday weekend.
Essential Guidelines for Firework Safety
Thousands of Americans, many of them children, are injured each year in firework accidents. Most of these injuries occur during the Fourth of July holiday and include serious burns, loss of fingers, and blindness.
Though the most disabling injuries occur with illegal firecrackers, such as M-80s, most injuries are caused by bottle rockets, sparklers, and Roman candles.
Staying safe
Viewing public displays handled by professionals is the safest way to enjoy fireworks on the Fourth of July or any other day. Even then, keep a safe distance away.
If you plan to celebrate the holiday with your own fireworks, these precautions can help prevent injuries:
- Don’t let children play with the fireworks.
- Never place any part of your body over a firework device.
- Make sure anyone who handles fireworks wears safety goggles to protect the eyes from flying sparks or debris.
- Don’t use bottle rockets. Their flight paths are often erratic, and rocket launchers sometimes explode, sending pieces of glass or metal flying.
- Don’t drink alcohol when using fireworks.
- Read the safety labels.
- Don’t try to relight fireworks that have not worked correctly.
- Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy in case of malfunction or fire.
- Be sure other people are out of range before lighting fireworks.
- Follow label directions.
- Light fireworks outdoors.
- Light only one at a time.
- Buy from reliable firework sellers.
- Never give fireworks to small children.
- Never carry fireworks in your pocket.
In case of eye injury
If an accident injures someone’s eyes, these actions can help protect the victim’s sight:
- Don’t delay medical attention, even if the injury seems minor.
- Don’t try to rinse out the eye. This can be very damaging.
- Don’t put pressure on the eye. Don’t touch the injury.
- Don’t give the victim aspirin or ibuprofen to try reducing the pain. These thin the blood and might increase bleeding.
- Don’t apply ointment or any medicine. It’s probably not sterile.