With profound sorrow and heavy hearts, we remember and honor the lives of Joline Cooper, 25, her 5-year-old daughter Celeste Kershaw, and her 3-year-old son Atreus Kershaw, who tragically lost their lives in a residential fire in Austinburg Township, Ashtabula County, Ohio on Friday morning. Their untimely passing has left a deep and lasting void in the hearts of their family, friends, and the wider community, which now grieves alongside them.
The fire broke out on the 2100 block of Jefferson Eagleville Road around 7:30 a.m., quickly engulfing the home. According to Marsha Cooper, the mother of Joline and grandmother of Celeste and Atreus, the family was trapped on the second floor of the residence when the fire spread. She explained that alternative heat sources were being used in the home due to a maintenance issue, and propane tanks may have contributed to the rapid escalation of the flames. The structure, originally an old barn repurposed into apartments, likely added to the fire’s intensity.
Amid the horror, acts of bravery and quick thinking were evident. Three individuals, including a 1-year-old child who was thrown from a window to escape the fire, were treated at a local hospital and have since been released. These small rays of hope are tempered by the immeasurable grief of losing Joline and her young children, whose lives were full of promise and love.
Firefighters from multiple jurisdictions worked tirelessly through the morning and afternoon to contain the flames. Geneva Fire Department Chief David Shook noted the difficulty of battling the fire, citing the narrow road and challenging weather conditions as obstacles. Fire crews remained on scene Friday afternoon addressing hot spots while a state fire marshal was called in to investigate the cause. Deputies from the Ashtabula County Sheriff’s Department were also present to provide assistance and support.
The tragedy has left a community in shock and mourning. Joline, Celeste, and Atreus were more than victims of a fire—they were a daughter, a mother, a grandmother, and young lives full of laughter, dreams, and love. Their absence is a painful reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of community support in times of crisis.
As investigators work to determine the exact cause of the fire, friends, family, and neighbors hold each other close, sharing memories and comforting one another through this unimaginable loss. Though their lives were brief, the memory of Joline, Celeste, and Atreus will endure in the hearts of those who loved them.