11-year-old girl killed in Fresno County house fire identified

FRESNO COUNTY, Calif. (KFSN) -- A Fresno County community is rallying around a family that lost both their home and a young daughter in a devastating house fire Thursday.

Authorities have identified the victim as Kayla Cruz Ledesma, an 11-year-old girl who was home alone and napping when the fire broke out, according to the Fresno County Sheriff's Office.

"She was 11 years old," said Rhonda Murphy, a Laton native and Fresno business owner. "We got to try to do whatever we can as a community to try to help them just rebuild."

The fire prompted a large, multi-agency emergency response as flames and thick smoke rose above neighboring homes.

In the aftermath, the Ledesma family of eight has been left without a home. Community members say nearly everything they owned was destroyed.

"That's the hard thing. I mean, these people have nothing. I mean, just the shirt off their back," Murphy said.

Murphy's nonprofit, Rhofit Earth Angels, has partnered with the family and is directing all donations toward recovery efforts. She said support from the community began almost immediately.

According to Murphy, one family has already donated a home to the Ledesmas.

"There's people there right now, washing and cleaning and getting everything ready. People are coming over to paint the house. I mean, the whole community is there to help," she said.

While volunteers prepare the donated home, donations continue to arrive at Wellspring Church, one of three local churches assisting the family.

"As this has unfolded, we've seen an outpouring like I have not ever seen before in any community," said Pastor Lori Niles.

Niles said the church is accepting new and gently used items to help the family begin rebuilding their lives.

"Just a real showing of love and outpouring of generosity from a community that doesn't have a whole lot to start with," she said.

The tragedy has united residents throughout Laton, with many contributing supplies, funds and volunteer labor in the days since the fire.

Officials remained on scene Friday investigating the cause of the blaze. Authorities confirmed that Kayla was the only person killed in the fire.

Rhofit Earth Angels and the Laton Unified School District are working to keep the family in a hotel until they can move into the donated home. Information about how to support the family is available through local donation efforts.

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