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Child dies in Waukegan basement fire

A young girl died in a house basement fire in Waukegan on Friday morning, authorities said.

Emergency crews responding after 11 a.m. to the burning building on the 1500 block of Jenkinson Court found heavy smoke and heat coming from basement, and bystanders reported that children were trapped in the basement, said Battalion Chief John Schmidt of the Waukegan Fire Department.

A report on ABC 7’s website identified the victim as 5-year-old Daniela Martinez.

The ABC 7 report indicated officials believe the girl had been playing with matches and started the fire in a laundry basket full of clothes.

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