21-Year-Old Racine Woman Dies After House Fire Rescue

Sandra Aranda, known as 'NaNa,' died from smoke inhalation complications after helping her siblings escape the blaze.

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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Sandra Aranda, a 21-year-old Racine woman, has died after being hospitalized in a coma following a house fire last week. Aranda's family says she is a hero for staying behind to help her younger siblings escape the blaze before succumbing to severe smoke inhalation that caused swelling in her brain. The family is now seeking community support to rebuild after losing everything in the fire.

Why it matters

This tragic story highlights the bravery and selflessness of young people like Sandra Aranda, who put the safety of their loved ones before their own. It also underscores the devastating impact of house fires and the need for fire safety education and support for families who experience such devastating losses.

The details

According to reports, firefighters rescued multiple people from the burning second-story apartment, including Aranda, who was then flown to a Milwaukee hospital for treatment. Aranda's family said the smoke inhalation was so severe it caused swelling in her brain, and she never regained consciousness. On Friday, February 6th, the family made the difficult decision to withdraw medical care after Aranda was determined to be brain dead.

  • The fire broke out around 5:59 a.m. on Tuesday, February 3rd.
  • Aranda died on Friday, February 6th.

The players

Sandra Aranda

A 21-year-old Racine woman who died after helping her younger siblings escape a house fire.

Marco Morales

Aranda's father, who held a memorial for his daughter at their Buchanan Street home.

Racine Fire Department

The department that responded to the fire and rescued multiple people from the burning apartment.

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What they’re saying

“We had to let her go today, get a little rest.”

— Marco Morales, Aranda's father (WISN 12 News)

“She stayed behind to help her younger siblings escape the fire.”

— Aranda's relatives (TMJ4)

What’s next

The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Racine Fire Department, but it does not appear to be suspicious at this time.

The takeaway

This tragedy underscores the importance of fire safety education and the need for communities to come together to support families who have experienced such devastating losses. Sandra Aranda's selfless actions to save her siblings will be remembered as an act of heroism, and her family's resilience in the face of this tragedy is truly inspiring.