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Family remembers woman killed in east Columbus townhome fire

The family of a woman killed in an east Columbus fire says they didn't find out she died until days later.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The family of a woman killed in an east Columbus fire earlier this month is remembering her as a strong support system. 

Shannan Williams died in a fire at the Carnaby Village Townhomes on March 12. 

"She was a goofball. If anybody was feeling down, she would be the positive energy that you needed that day,” said De’Leon Grier, one of her sons.

Columbus Division of Fire Battalion Chief Steve Martin said they couldn’t confirm Williams' identity at the time if the fire. 

Tracy Blackmon, Williams' sister, said the family learned about her death days later from a friend.  

"I know I had been texting her,” Blackmon said. “We didn't even find out Saturday, we didn't find out until Wednesday."

Columbus Firefighters ruled the deadly fire as accidental. They said two men and a woman were inside when a pan of cooking oil ignited. Columbus firefighters said the men were able to escape and tried to convince the woman to jump out the window.  

She was reportedly afraid of the smoke and wouldn't come downstairs. 

Blackmon said her sister was visiting a friend. 

"They’re used to mom being there as support for them, and with her being gone, who's going to be there to pick those pieces up?,” Blackmon said. A GoFundMe for the family's children has raised just short of $600 as of Monday morning. 

Williams' family won't let her memory die or the messages she preached.  

"Just keep carrying on, what she wanted us to do in life,” said her son DaJuan.

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