Name of mother killed in Helena fire released

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HELENA, Ohio — Authorities have identified the victims of a house fire that killed a woman and injured her daughter and granddaughter in this Sandusky County village.

Kelly Preston, 47, was pronounced dead at the scene of the fire early Thursday. Victoria Preston, 16, and her 4-month old baby were treated for smoke inhalation at Fremont Memorial Hospital, Helena fire Chief Steve Shull said.

The fire in the 500 block of Church Street was reported about 2:10 a.m., by which time Miss Preston and her baby had escaped through a ground-floor window. The teen told firefighters that her mother was still in the house, Chief Shull said.

The house was a total loss, estimated at $180,000. The cause of the fire was listed as undetermined but not suspicious, the chief said.

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