A 4-year-old child and the children’s father were also hospitalized after the Cathy Drive NE fire.
PLAIN TOWNSHIP, Ohio — State and local investigators are reviewing a fatal Friday house fire in Plain Township after officials said a 6-year-old child died and two family members were injured.
The fire was reported at about 5:08 p.m. in the 2500 block of Cathy Drive NE. The Stark County Sheriff’s Office later corrected earlier information and said the child who died was 6 years old. A 4-year-old child was listed in critical but stable condition, and the children’s father was stable after being taken to a hospital.
Plain Township firefighters and sheriff’s deputies responded with help from Nimishillen Township, Canton and Canton Township fire crews. Fire Chief Howard Hershberger said the left side of the home was burning when crews arrived. Firefighters pushed back enough flames to enter the house and found the two children during a search.
Neighbors said the fire moved quickly. Bryan Daniels, who lives across the street, said the father came out and collapsed on the grass. Daniels said he asked who was still inside, and the man answered, “the girls.” Daniels said he tried to spray water toward the rear of the home but could not reach the children because flames and falling material blocked entry.
Officials said a woman and another child from the home were outside and were not hurt. A cat was rescued. The children and their father were taken from the scene to a local hospital, where the 6-year-old died a short time later. Authorities have not released the children’s names.
The Stark County Sheriff’s Office and the Ohio State Fire Marshal are leading the investigation. Officials had not released a cause Saturday and had not said where the fire started. Investigators are expected to examine the damaged home, interview witnesses and review the emergency response as part of the case.
The fatal fire is the second child death reported in a Plain Township house fire in recent months, after a toddler died in a March fire on Eaton Street NE. The latest fire left Cathy Drive NE neighbors shaken as crews and investigators worked around the damaged home.
The investigation remained open Saturday, with the 4-year-old child still hospitalized and officials awaiting findings from fire investigators.
Author note: Last updated May 30, 2026.