Ohio Mother Dies Trying to Rescue Two Adult Children in Fast-Moving Cincinnati House Fire

Mary Ann Schwartz, 68, died Jan. 17 after a rapidly spreading fire engulfed her Cincinnati home while she attempted to rescue two of her adult children, according to local reports and the Hamilton County coroner.

Mary Ann SchwartzGoFundMe

The victims were identified as 32-year-old Sol Archambault and 23-year-old Aislynne Coffaro; both also died in the blaze. An additional family member, middle son Dylan Schwartz Archambault, has spoken publicly about his mother's bravery. Officials say the cause of death for all three remains pending, and local outlets reported that the two adult children had disabilities.

Mary Ann Schwartz and AislynneGoFundMe

According to interviews cited by WXIX, Mary Ann was preparing dinner the evening of Jan. 17 when the fire began. Dylan said the family does not yet know what started the blaze and that the flames spread "very quickly." Neighbors and family members attempted to help, and Mary Ann briefly ran outside to seek assistance before re-entering the home to try to reach Sol and Aislynne.

Cincinnati Fire DepartmentCincinnati Fire Department Facebook

"She unfortunately perished from within the flames after she tried to save her children," Dylan told WXIX, praising his mother's lifelong devotion to caring for others.

Fire crews were dispatched shortly after 7 p.m. to the 4000 block of North Edgewood Avenue, where reporters say the structure was fully involved on arrival. WLWT reported that two victims were found on the first floor after a sweep, and a woman who was found critically injured on the second floor was rescued by crews using a ladder but later died at the hospital. Cincinnati Fire Department representatives told WLWT the conditions inside the home were "not survivable."

Investigation and Community Response

An investigation into the origin and cause of the fire is ongoing. The Cincinnati Fire Department did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment, and the Hamilton County coroner is continuing its review.

In the days following the tragedy, Mary Ann’s coworkers launched a GoFundMe to support her surviving son, Dylan. The fundraiser's organizer described Mary Ann as "a wonderful mother, friend, and coworker," and wrote that her "joyful spirit, charitable heart, and generous compassion" left a lasting impression on colleagues.

This heartbreaking incident has drawn attention from neighbors and local media as the community mourns the loss of three family members and raises funds to assist the surviving son. Authorities continue to investigate and have urged anyone with information to come forward.