Brave 11-year-old girl jumps out of window and escapes house fire only to find her entire family dead
The 11-year-old girl, Lulu, was the sole survivor as all four of her family members died, including her dad, who caused the house fire
SEATLLE, WASHINGTON: Four people were discovered dead in a house fire that the father of the family had started, leaving just an 11-year-old girl as the sole survivor.
Multiple news stories state that the death of the mother, two children, and the father in the Seattle house fire were all homicides, but the man's death was later determined to be a suicide, as reported by People.
The King County Medical Examiner's Office determined that Lana Stewart, 40, died from blunt force trauma, while Sebastino Ragusa, 7, died from inhaling toxic combustion products, and Valentina Ragusa, 4 months old, died from smoke inhalation, according to a Associated Press report on the incident.
Three fatalities were deemed homicides
According to reports, these three fatalities were deemed homicides but the death of the father, Salvatore Ragusa, 48, was judged a suicide.
Ragusa was the fourth person killed in the fire and he died from smoke inhalation too after setting the house on fire.
Only an 11-year-old girl was found alive after the sucide and triple murder incident.
11-year-old jumped out a window to escape the fire
According to her aunt, who coordinated the fundraiser, the 11-year-old child, called Lulu on the GoFundMe page, jumped out a window to escape the fire. Lulu was Sebastino and Valentina's older sister, according to the GoFundMe message.
After learning that the 11-year-old had escaped and informed a neighbor, Seattle police responded to the fire in the city's Wallingford district, the department stated in a release. Officers made an attempt to enter the house, which they claimed was blocked off.
They discovered Stewart, Ragusa, and the two children inside. According to KING 5, a dog was also discovered dead inside the house.
The 11-year-old received minor injuries
According to authorities, the 11-year-old received minor injuries and was treated. The deceased individuals were referred to as a family in a statement made by Stewart's relatives that was carried by KIRO 7 and KING 5.
Salvatore Ragusa had schizophrenia, according to Stewart's sisters
According to the alleged statement, Salvatore Ragusa had schizophrenia, according to Stewart's sisters. Stewart was described in the same statement as "a loving mother who tried her best to keep peace within the house."
According to the Associated Press, he admitted to reckless burning and criminal mischief after being detained in 2019 for setting fire to his ex-wife's flat. He allegedly finished a county mental health program that was ordered by the court and requested by the victim last year.
In less than a day, the GoFundMe established to support Lulu, the only survivor, has received more than $14,000 in contributions.
'Lulu has always been known as a talkative and loving girl'
The aunt of the survivor wrote, “Lulu has always been known as a talkative & loving girl who always put her family first. As she got older and became more aware of her situation, she often took on a protective but nurturing role."
“Therefore I’m not all surprised she jumped out a window with a 16 foot drop to help others survive. She thought she was going back to save her brother & sister after calling for help,” the aunt wrote in the appeal for help.
The money raised will be used towards the girl's rehabilitation and education. The aunt stated, "Overall, we just want to be able to offer her the best life possible and set her up for success in the future."
