Georgia girl Katelynn Simmons, 11, dies trying to save her puppy from housefire at family home

An 11-year-old girl died after she tried to save her puppy from a house fire at her family’s Georgia home.

Katelynn Simmons ran back into the burning house in Spalding County, about 40 minutes from Atlanta, on Saturday night to try and rescue her dog ‘Little Man’ from the flames.

Spalding County Fire Chief Mike Byrd told WSB-TV the fire ‘was visible from a mile away,’ after his team were called to the home around 5.30pm.

Once firefighters arrived, they immediately started to search for Katelynn in the ‘well advanced’ blaze. The team soon located her upstairs, but it was too late to save her.

The little girl’s step-aunt, Tressia Perry, said Katelynn’s step-father and step-uncle attempted to go back in to save her, but ‘they couldn’t get in.’

‘Katelynn, she’s like us, an animal lover. She went upstairs and got that puppy,’ her uncle, Charles Beecher, told Fox 5. The dog did not survive either.

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Katelynn Simmons, 11, died on Saturday night in a house fire in Spalding County, Georgia, after she ran back in to save her beloved pup ‘Little Man.’ (pictured: Katelynn and her dog)

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Spalding County Fire Chief Mike Byrd said the fire ‘was visible from a mile away,’ after his team were called to the home around 5.30pm. (pictured: the charred house after the blaze)

At the time of the fire, Katelynn’s brother and two others were inside the home and survived.

It is unclear if her parents were home at the time of the incident and if anyone tried to stop her from running back into the flames.

The fire was ruled was accidental but it is unclear what sparked it. DailyMail.com has contacted the Spalding County Fire Department.

Byrd said one firefighter was injured and taken to the hospital. All responding firefighters were offered counseling to help process the catastrophe.

‘We go in, everyone, with that attitude. We’re going to do everything we can, within humanly possible, to try to make a difference,’ Byrd told Fox 5.

‘And these stories [are] just tragic for us.’

Outside of the home, a memorial full of stuffed animals and flowers was set up by friends and family.

The home’s roof was seen caved in and charred after the intense fire took over.

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The little girl’s step-aunt, Tressia Perry, said Katelynn’s step-father and step-uncle attempted to go back in to save her, but ‘they couldn’t get in’

The home’s roof is seen caved in and charred after the intense fire took over. One firefighter was injured and taken to the hospital for treatment

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A GoFundMe page was created for the young girl’s family as they lost everything in the tragic fire. (pictured: Katelynn’s mother, Kristy Rollins, her step-dad Kevin Rollins and her brother)

‘It’s hard knowing I am not going to be able to see her again,’ her uncle said.

‘It’s rough. I mean, 11-years-old. Her life was just taken too early.’

Katelynn was a cheerleader for Spalding and Pike County Rec Centers and went to Cowan Road Middle School.

A GoFundMe page was created for the young girl’s family as they lost everything in the tragic fire.

‘This is the worst thing that could happen to a parent. It’s unfathomable the pain and anguish she feels,’ the page’s organizer, Meredith Smith said on behalf of Katelynn’s mother, Kristy Rollins.

All proceeds raised are set to go toward the family, including Katelynn’s mother, her step-dad Kevin Rollins and her brother.  As of Tuesday morning, more than $7,000 was raised to help with funeral costs, new housing for the family and clothing.

Clothing, food and toiletries donations are also being accepted for the family at a local church.

‘Her visit here on earth was short, but her family will experience this for the rest of their lives,’ Smith said.

Heartbroken family and friends took to social media to remember the young girl.

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Her loved ones have shared the hashtag #LLK, Live Like Katelynn, across social media and posted about local fundraisers in support of her family

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Outside of the charred home, a memorial full of stuffed animals and flowers was set up by friends and family

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A raffle was set up at a furniture store, Act Now Liquidation, as multiple items are set to be given away for those who purchased $5 tickets that go toward the family

‘This one hurt real bad,’ Angel Morgan said in a post on Facebook.

‘Sissy was so young, beautiful, funny, full of attitude, smart & let me tell you she was as blunt as they come,’ she added.

Another family member, Lindsey Moore, posted videos and pictures of Katelynn and said: ‘Fly high sissy u [sic] will always have a place in my heart and so many others.’

Her loved ones have shared the hashtag #LLK, Live Like Katelynn, across social media and posted about local fundraisers in support of her family.

A raffle was set up at a furniture store, Act Now Liquidation, as multiple items are set to be given away for those who purchased $5 tickets that went toward the family.

Another small business, Local Nutrition, offered 25 percent of its proceeds to go toward Katelynn’s loved ones and even named a drink after her.

‘The family is struggling right now. They’re going through a hard time,’ Perry said.