A vigil outside a McDonald’s honored Isha Suthar after a fire killed three family members at a nearby Econo Lodge.
WOOSTER TOWNSHIP, Ohio — McDonald’s employees tied balloons to a light pole Wednesday evening to remember Isha Suthar, a co-worker and manager who died with two family members in an early morning fire at the Econo Lodge on East Lincoln Way.
The gathering came hours after firefighters were called to the motel around 1:30 a.m. and found smoke and flames coming from part of the property. Officials said three people died, one firefighter had minor injuries and dozens of guests were displaced as the motel closed.
Erica Ray, who worked with Suthar at the McDonald’s on Lincoln Way East, said she went to the motel after learning about the fire. Ray said she asked where her co-worker was and was told Suthar had not survived. “I just wanted to come out here and show my respects to a very good woman, co-worker,” Ray said. She said Suthar had helped her settle into the store after Ray transferred there as a manager about a year ago.
Aleenah Barrett, another McDonald’s employee, said Suthar brought energy to the workplace even on hard days. Barrett said the loss felt sudden because co-workers had been in contact with Suthar the day before the fire. “We went from texting her yesterday to getting a response from her yesterday to nothing now,” Barrett said. Friends and family identified Suthar as one of the victims before officials released all names publicly.
The vigil turned the restaurant parking lot into a small memorial space for workers who said Suthar had been more than a colleague. Ray said Suthar had comforted her after her mother died and that organizing the vigil was a way to support the crew and the family. Balloons were tied near the restaurant as employees shared memories of Suthar’s kindness, humor and steady presence during late shifts.
The fatal fire remained under investigation by fire officials and law enforcement. Wooster Township Fire Chief Dallas Terrell said crews made multiple rescue attempts after arriving at the motel, but the people trapped inside could not be saved. Authorities said the motel was closed after the fire. Some guests were moved to other hotels, while others were receiving help from the Red Cross.
Ray said the loss has been difficult for employees to accept because Suthar had helped shape the store’s daily rhythm. “I’m going to miss her,” Ray said. The next public step is the continuing investigation into the fire’s cause and the official release of any additional findings.
Author note: Last updated July 4, 2026.