A holiday meant for celebration turned into unspeakable tragedy when a Missouri girl, newly recovered from cancer, lost her life in a house fire sparked by fireworks.
Just two weeks earlier, 13-year-old Jerilynn Brown had walked out of Children’s Mercy Hospital with a bell ring and a smile, marking her victory over osteosarcoma—a rare and aggressive form of bone cancer. Her family and friends thought the hardest chapter was behind her.
But on the morning of July 4, 2025, Jerilynn was killed when flames engulfed her family’s farmhouse in Independence, Missouri. Fire officials later confirmed the blaze was likely ignited by smoldering consumer-grade fireworks left over from the night before.
“It just crushes my heart that this family is probably never going to have another Independence Day that they’ll enjoy,”
said Battalion Chief Eric Michel of the Independence Fire Department.
her.
The fire started around 5 a.m., tearing through the home on North Lake City Valley Road in Buckner, Jackson County. By the time first responders arrived, the house was already overtaken by flames.
Firefighters mounted an aggressive response, but Jerilynn was found deceased inside the home.
Her mother, Liz Stephens, was pulled from the wreckage with life-threatening injuries and remains hospitalized. A man who has not been publicly identified was also seriously injured and later died from his wounds. One firefighter sustained injuries during the rescue attempt.
According to the Missouri Division of Fire Safety, the fire originated on the back deck, where remnants of fireworks were found. Officials believe they may have continued to smolder for hours, igniting the deadly blaze.
“Hours can elapse while a fire smolders,”
warned Fire Chief Jimmy Walker.
“They can go undiscovered and quickly become uncontrollable.”
Adding to the heartbreak, the farmhouse had no working smoke alarms. Chief Walker emphasized that while smoke detectors don’t stop fires, they save lives by giving people a crucial head start to escape.
The emotional toll on first responders was immediate. The Independence Fire Department brought in peer counselors to support grieving crew members. Jerilynn’s recent battle and triumph over cancer made the loss even more painful.
“To see a young girl who just beat cancer… to have it end like this,”
Chief Walker said, his voice heavy.
“Our hearts go out to the family. We’re devastated.”
Jerilynn’s father, Jerry Brown, described his daughter as a radiant spirit who touched everyone she met. During her hospital stay, she crafted personalized gifts for the nurses and doctors who cared for her. In return, they signed a heart-shaped keepsake she had made—a simple token of mutual love and resilience.
“I want her to be remembered for who she was: a bright soul,”
Jerry said.
“What I’ll miss most are her hugs.”
Stephen Miller, who shares a child with Jerilynn’s mother, remembered her vibrant nature.
“Jerilynn was very outgoing, loved life. Fought that cancer until she beat it.”
In the wake of the tragedy, the community rallied to support the family. A GoFundMe campaign titled “Help Jerry & Liz Rebuild After Tragic House Fire” was launched by Karleigh Burnett. As of this writing, the fundraiser has raised over $9,000 toward its $11,000 goal. The funds will help with Jerilynn’s funeral, Liz’s medical treatment, and essential needs lost in the fire.
The campaign described Jerilynn as
“a bright, brave, and beautiful soul whose strength and spirit touched everyone.”
Tributes poured in from across social media. On July 4, Earlene Stotts Hazelrigg, a family friend, shared memories of watching Jerilynn grow up at Kansas City Mavericks hockey games.
“She just finished the biggest battle of her life. Please pray for Liz—she is still fighting.”
Make-A-Wish volunteer Trisha Sullivan also recalled her visit with Jerilynn. The teen’s wish was to go to Hawaii, and Sullivan said she was
“so fun to talk to—this family didn’t just lose their home, they lost this amazing girl.”
On July 6, Stephen posted a brief but poignant tribute:
“She will always be looking down on us.”
Jerilynn’s death was one of several tragedies linked to fireworks across Missouri over the holiday weekend. The Missouri Division of Fire Safety reported more fireworks-related fires and fatalities this Independence Day than in any other in recent memory.
State Fire Marshal Tim Bean issued a stern reminder:
“Fireworks may look harmless, but the flash powder inside is volatile. Used improperly or left smoldering, they become deadly.”
He urged Missourians to avoid homemade fireworks and ensure used ones are fully extinguished.
Jerilynn Brown’s life was a story of strength, heart, and quiet triumph—cut short not by cancer, but by carelessness. As her family fights to rebuild, her memory endures in the lives she touched, the love she gave, and the bravery she showed.
If her story moved you, please share it—and remember, safety is love in action. 💔
