Mom and Daughter Die in a House Fire While Dad Desperately Tries to Save Them: ‘He Tried to Go Back In’

The saddest thing about tragedy is that it comes uninvited and can change our lives completely, leaving us with nothing but pain and trauma. Something similar happened to a family of four when an unfortunate incident turned their happy world upside down.

Life is a precious gift that should never be taken for granted. It’s a rollercoaster ride with its fair share of ups and downs. No matter how much we want, we cannot escape the sorrows and have to learn to embrace the good and the bad. However, it is easier said than done.

We’re often told to enjoy each day and live to the fullest because life comes with a one-way ticket. Sadly, nobody knows which moment might be their last, which often makes saying goodbye incredibly painful. Grab a box of tissues as we take you through a family’s tear-jerking story.

The Night That Changed Everything

On late night Thursday, September 8, 2022, a family in Hamden Township, along Taylors Wells Road, Ohio, experienced an unspeakable tragedy — something they had never seen coming and that changed their lives most unexpectedly.

The news of Heiden and Chloe’s tragic demise broke their family and friends, many of whom shared heartfelt messages for the mother-daughter duo.

According to the fire crews in Geauga County, dense smoke in the house awakened Katie Heiden, 38, mother of two children. Per the township’s fire chief, Scott Hildenbrand, Heiden began screaming and calling for help after realizing the house was on fire.

Running to Help

The woman’s cry for help alerted her husband, Rob Sharp, who was also in the room. The couple’s two kids, Chloe, nine, and Carson, seven, were also in the bedroom at the time.

Soon afterward, Sharp ran down the hallway to find out where the smoke was coming from and reportedly suffered burns. He hurried back into the room and helped his little boy escape the fire through the window.

The Hardest Goodbye

According to Hildenbrand, Sharp was unable to help his wife because she was unconscious and couldn’t be lifted. The couple’s daughter, Chloe, was said to be hiding in the couple’s bedroom closet at the time. Hildenbrand recalled:

“[Rob] pushed the window open, pushed his 7-year-old son out of the window. He jumped out of the window was waiting for his wife to come out. She since collapsed, so he tried to go back in, and the smoke was just too heavy at that point (sic).”

An Unspeakable Tragedy

The firefighters said they responded to a 911 call from the neighborhood and reached the scene at about 2:30 a.m. on September 8. Per Hildenbrand, they found the mother and daughter inside the house and took them to the hospital, where they succumbed to their injuries.

Sharp and Carson were also taken to the hospital, where the former was treated for his injuries.

Supporting the Father-Son Duo

Grace Sanders created a GoFundMe page to support the father and son in the face of their unimaginable tragedy. As of September 9, over $42,000 have been raised on the crowdfunding page, and more donations continue to pour in. Sanders wrote:

“The funds will be giving to Rob, could be used for meals, a place to stay, the funerals, and anything they may need. If you could donate anything at all it would be greatly appreciated, even just a prayer (sic).”

Forever Broken

The news of Heiden and Chloe’s tragic demise broke their family and friends, many of whom shared heartfelt messages for the mother-daughter duo. The late woman’s friend, Kayla Williams, who studied phlebotomy with her, penned a touching tribute on Facebook:

“My heart is broken that we never got to take our lunch at the same time before you went to third shift! My prayers are with your sweet Carson and Rob. May you and Chloe rest easy.”

A Kind Soul

Another friend of Heiden’s from radiology school, Harley Buckley, described her as a kind-hearted person and selfless mother. Buckley shared how her late friend always celebrated her loved ones’ achievements and supported them every step of the way. She also expressed:

“[I] hope [Katie] knew how proud everyone was of her for graduating and passing her xray registry while working & raising two kiddos.”

Remembering a Mother and Friend

Buckley’s heart-touching Facebook post garnered messages of support from many people who personally knew Heiden:

“I remember Katie from working with her at lake west hospital. I’m heart sick over this tragedy. May peace be with their family.”

— (@elaine.philistineangelo) September 9, 2022

“I’m so sad to hear this news. Katie loved her children and was always proud of them. I too worked with her at Lake West not long after she completed her phlebotomy classes. God bless and comfort this family.”

— (@tina.komorowski) September 9, 2022

“Yep. That’s my neice. Such a thoughtful, loving and all around good soul. Terrific Mom to a terrific daughter. They both will be missed. Thank you so much for sharing your story. She touched many lives.”

— (@beth.mansfieldranallo) September 9, 2022

Our thoughts are with the bereaved family, especially the grief-stricken dad and his sweet boy, as they navigate this dark and painful time. May God grant eternal peace to the beloved mother and her little daughter.