A 13-year-old girl was killed in a large house fire Wednesday in Eastern Kentucky, according to the Ashland Fire Department.
The fire happened shortly after 7 p.m. at a home on Central Avenue. The fire department said the flames spread to two other homes by the time firefighters arrived two minutes after receiving the call.
While on scene, residents of the home that first caught fire told firefighters that Brooklyn Johnson, 13, was trapped inside. The fire department said firefighters went inside the burning building and found Brooklyn in a bedroom.
Brooklyn was rescued from the home through a window and taken to UK King’s Daughters Medical Center, where she later died, according to the fire department. She was a student at Ashland Middle School.
Brooklyn’s body will undergo an autopsy at the State Medical Examiner’s Office in Frankfort on Thursday morning, according to the Boyd County Coroner’s Office.
“Brooklyn was a valued member of our school community and will be deeply missed by classmates, teachers, and staff,” Ashland Middle School Principal Rebecca Howell said in a statement. “She will be remembered for her feisty spirit, her glasses that were strictly for fashion, but most of all, her love of her dolls.”
The fire at the three homes was brought under control about an hour and a half after it was first reported to the fire department. The home where the fire started was occupied by seven people, including five children, according to the coroner’s office.
No other injuries were reported.
A large house in Ashland, Ky. killed a 13-year-old middle school student on March 24, 2026. Ashland Fire Department
The fire department said foul play is not suspected, and the fire remains under investigation by the Ashland Fire Marshal’s Office.
“The Ashland Fire Department extends its deepest condolences to the family, friends, and classmates of Brooklyn Johnson during this tragic time,” the fire department said on Facebook.
Counseling services will be available for students and staff at Ashland Middle School, Howell said.
“Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with Brooklyn’s family and loved ones during this difficult time, especially her brothers, Braxton Johnson and Kamron Tussey, as well as her parents, extended family, and friends,” Howell said in her statement.
This story was originally published March 25, 2026 at 3:42 PM.
Lexington Herald-Leader
Chris Leach is a breaking news reporter for the Lexington Herald-Leader. He joined the newspaper in September 2021 after previously working with the Anderson News and the Cats Pause. Chris graduated from UK in December 2018.
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