Friends leave flowers and cards for 'princess'

Grieving friends have set up a small memorial to remember a 15-year-old girl who died after running into her burning home in an effort to rescue her mother.

Princila Asante died in hospital on Monday. She had been pulled from her burning townhouse at 105 Humber Blvd. at about 7 p.m. Sunday.

The Grade 10 student had managed to escape the inferno safely, but ran back inside the house to rescue her 49-year-old mother.

But what Asante did not know was that her mother had jumped to safety from a second-floor window, suffering only a broken leg. Asante's 11-year-old brother also escaped.

The young girl was trapped inside for nearly an hour while firefighters battled the blaze. Two firefighters suffered serious burns on their hands and arms during the effort to reach her.

Asante was rushed to hospital, but later succumbed to her injuries.

A small memorial beside the charred home started to take shape for the popular teen, nicknamed "princess" by her friends, soon after her death.

Flowers, candles and cards paid tribute to Asante.

Friend Jessica Opoku said classmates learned of the news at school Monday, and "we all just started crying."

They said they will miss Asante's beautiful smile.

The cause of the fire is being investigated by the Ontario Fire Marshal's office. The blaze is believed to have started in the home's kitchen and spread rapidly from there.