A devastating early morning house fire in Port Orchard, Washington, claimed the lives of 40-year-old Carlin Sheedy and his 9-year-old daughter, Jayden Sheedy, early on the morning of Saturday, July 5, 2025. The Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office reported that the fire broke out in a residence shortly before dawn. When emergency crews arrived, the home was already engulfed in flames. 

Despite the firefighter’s efforts, the father and daughter suffered fatal injuries and did not survive. A GoFundMe has been established to help support the grieving family and cover associated expenses. The Kitsap County Medical Examiner’s Office will determine the official causes of death, and the origin of the fire remains under active investigation. 

If you or someone you love has been harmed in a house fire, contact Singleton Schreiber today for a free consultation. 

Understanding the Risks and Causes of House Fires

House fires can be triggered by a range of factors, from faulty electrical wiring and defective appliances to unattended cooking or improperly maintained heating systems. In some cases, landlord negligence, building code violations, or substandard construction materials may contribute to a fire’s severity or preventable spread. 

Fires that ignite overnight or in the early morning hours are particularly dangerous, as they often catch residents off guard while asleep, leaving limited time to escape. Smoke inhalation, structural collapse, and delayed emergency response can tragically turn a manageable incident into a deadly one. 

“This is a heartbreaking loss for the Port Orchard community,” says Vanessa Waldref, attorney at Singleton Schreiber. “As an advocate for families, my heart goes out to those mourning Carlin and Jayden.

Our firm has helped families across Washington navigate the complex aftermath of house fires, and we are committed to holding negligent parties accountable when tragedy could have been prevented.” 

Legal Recourse After a Fatal House Fire

When a house fire results in a fatality, surviving family members may have the right to pursue a wrongful death claim if the fire was caused or worsened by negligence. Potentially liable parties could include:

• A landlord or property owner, if they failed to provide working smoke detectors, safe wiring, or proper maintenance
• A utility provider, in cases involving gas or electrical malfunctions
• Product manufacturers, if the fire was sparked by a defective appliance or device
• A contractor or builder, if poor construction or code violations played a role in the fire’s spread
• A neighbor or third party, if the fire was started due to illegal fireworks or negligent behavior during Fourth of July celebrations

Through a wrongful death claim, families may be able to seek compensation for funeral and burial expenses, loss of financial support, emotional pain and suffering, and other economic and non-economic damages. 

If your family has suffered the unimaginable loss of a loved one due to a house fire, contact Singleton Schreiber today to learn more about your rights and how we may be able to help. 

A Fourth of July celebration in Buena Park ended tragically after an 8-year-old girl was fatally injured by a misfired firework. The incident occurred around 9:45 pm on Cornflower Circle, where a group of family and friends had gathered for the holiday. 

According to the Buena Park Police Department, officers on patrol witnessed a large illegal fireworks display erupt in the street. As they approached the area, they saw people carrying a young girl, identified as Jasmine Nguyen, back into a nearby home. She had sustained severe injuries from the explosion. 

Jasmine was rushed to UC Irvine Medical Center, where she later died from her injuries. 

Authorities say early DeCastro, the homeowner and host of the gathering, had set up a large fireworks display in the street. The display malfunctioned, firing toward the house and triggering a chain reaction that set off additional fireworks. One of the misfired explosives struck Jasmine.

Police reported that a “substantial amount” of the fireworks used in the display were illegal. DeCastro was arrested, and the case has been submitted to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office for review.

If you or someone you love has been harmed due to a fireworks-related incident, contact Singleton Schreiber today for a free consultation. 

The Deadly Risks of Illegal and Improperly Set Up Fireworks

While fireworks are a staple of Fourth of July celebrations, their use, especially illegal or improperly handled ones, can quickly turn deadly. According to authorities, the fireworks used in this Buena Park tragedy were not only illegal but also improperly set up in a densely populated area. When fireworks malfunction or are ignited too close to homes or people, the consequences can be catastrophic. 

Illegal fireworks often lack the quality of controls of regulated commercial-grade products and can be unpredictable. When combined with a lack of safety measures, proximity to structures, and the presence of children, these factors significantly increase the risk of injury or death. 

“This heartbreaking case is a painful reminder that illegal fireworks aren’t just dangerous – they’re deadly,” says Gerald Singleton, managing partner of Singleton Schreiber. “Our firm has seen far too many lives destroyed by negligence during celebrations that should have been safe. We extend our deepest condolences to Jasmine’s family and are committed to helping families pursue justice in the wake of such tragedies.” 

Legal Options for the Family of Jasmine Nguyen

In situations like this, where a child has died due to another party’s negligence or recklessness, the family may be entitled to pursue a wrongful death lawsuit. This type of legal claim seeks to hold the responsible individual or parties accountable for the preventable loss of life and the emotional and financial harm left behind. 

The family may be able to obtain compensation through the wrongful death claim to cover expenses, including:

• The medical treatment Jasmine received before succumbing to her injuries
• Funeral and burial expenses
• Emotional trauma and loss of companionship
• Pain and suffering

At Singleton Schreiber, we have extensive experience representing families in tragic wrongful death cases involving explosions, fires, and hazardous materials. If your family has been affected by a fireworks-related accident, contact us today for a free and confidential consultation to explore your legal options.