LOWELL, Mass. — The 4-year-old Lowell girl was tragically killed, when her home daycare facility went up in flames last week, has been identified.
Pietra Emanuelle Silva Araujo had just moved to Lowell from her home in Valaderes, Brazil last summer, according to an obituary posted by The McDonough Funeral Home. She was the beloved daughter of Silvia Santos and Alexandre Araujo.
Emergency crews responded to the Maude Street triple-decker just after 2:30 pm on Thursday with flames burning through the roof and all three floors.
Firefighters rescued two adults and three children, using both ground and aerial ladders to reach people on the third floor, but Pietra was unaccounted for until after the fire had been extinguished.
Lowell Mayor Sokhary Chau told Boston 25 News Pietra was being cared for by a babysitter.
Her family said she loved her new home in America and she enjoyed playing with her friends and family at the park.
“Her family will cherish every moment of the 4 years they had with her. She was learning to speak both English and her native Portuguese and even reminded older friends and family when they would make a mistake speaking either language. She was a precious gift, gone all too soon, she will be missed by all and her family asks for your support and prayers during this unimaginably difficult time,” the obituary read.
In addition to her parents, Sylvia and Alexandre, she is survived by her stepfather, Robson Noguiera of Lowell and her large family, both here in America and in Brazil.
Pietra’s funeral will be held on Sunday, March 13 from 12 p.m. - 2 p.m. at McDonough Funeral Home in Lowell.
If you wish to help the family and all those displaced by the fire A GoFundMe has been started.
About 10 displaced residents have been offered assistance by the American Red Cross.
Chief Phillip Charron commended his crews on their heroic efforts in saving lives.
“I’m very proud of them,” Charron said. “They’ve done a good job. And they did it in a very, very fast time frame. When you make a rescue, seconds count, and they definitely performed today.”
The cause of the fire remains under investigation by Lowell Fire Dept., Lowell police and State Police assigned to both the State Fire Marshal’s Office and the District Attorney’s Office.
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