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Report on fatal fire in Burlco seen as weeks away

A report on the origin of a house fire that killed a 7-year-old Pemberton Township girl Wednesday night could be weeks away, Burlington County Fire Marshal Mike Reed said Friday. Autopsy results also are pending.

A report on the origin of a house fire that killed a 7-year-old Pemberton Township girl Wednesday night could be weeks away, Burlington County Fire Marshal Mike Reed said Friday. Autopsy results also are pending.

The ranch-style home, on Seminole Trail in the Country Lakes Estates section, was gutted in the blaze, reported at 10:38 p.m.

Lamiyah Graves' body was discovered by firefighters in a bedroom closet, according to Burlington County First Assistant Prosecutor Ray Milavsky. She was at home with her four siblings, ages 14, 11, 6, and 3, who escaped. Their mother, Shirita Turner, 34, had gone to Philadelphia to help a son rent a car and left the 14-year-old daughter in charge, Milavsky said.

Reed said he was working with the state fire marshal's office. - Jan Hefler