To those who knew her best, Vahnne Gower was a loving child full of hugs and laughter.

Tragically, Vahnne, 9, lost her life when her family’s Mahoning Township home went up in flames early Saturday morning.Maureen Leupold, whose family is close friends with the Gowers, described Vahnne as a caring child who would go out of her way to help anyone.“Vahnne was very sensitive, kind, and she always worried about everybody else,” Leupold said. “She would always give hugs out to everyone else.”Leupold, whose daughter, Joslynn, 9, was best friends with Vahnne, said the two were in Brownies, soccer and dance classes together.“Just about anything the one wanted to do, the other would do it because they wanted to be together,” she said. “She was a great friend to my daughter; she loved her very much.”A tragic lossVahnne was found in a bedroom of her family’s home in the 300-block of Beaver Run Drive, according to state police at Lehighton.County Coroner Robert Miller said she died of asphyxiation.The fire broke out at 1:30 a.m. and was extinguished by 4:30 a.m. Nine local departments were called to the scene.Officials were on scene investigating Monday, but have not released a cause of the fire.“They still are unable to determine the exact cause,” Leupold said. “There’s too much damage to really tell what started it.”Troy, Vahnne’s father, went back in to the burning home to find Vahnne. He remains in a medically-induced coma, and will be for months, according to Leupold, who said he has third-degree burns on 55 percent of his body.“No one was going to stop him,” Leupold said.Vahnne’s brother, Trey, 12, was also injured and placed in intensive care.Leupold said Trey is still in the ICU, and has second-degree burns on 15 percent of his body, primarily on his ears, hands, and feet, with a little bit on his back.She said Vahnne’s mother, Julie, is “heartbroken.”“She’s very, very heartbroken, but she’s focused on trying to be strong for Trey and for Troy,” she said. “She obviously is having her moments.”Community steps upSince the fire, an outpouring of support has been shown for the Gower family, with several fundraisers underway.As of press time, $28,918 of the $40,000 goal has been raised.Donation boxes are set up at many area businesses. The American Red Cross is also assisting the family.“Just continue to make donations,” Leupold said. “Troy has a very long recovery road ahead of him.”How else can people help?“Just thoughts and prayers, and celebrating Vahnne,” she said.Leupold said her husband, Bron, and Troy, are like brothers.“This is a very caring, loving family, and loyal friends that would do anything for anyone, and Vahnne and Trey are just very special children that we need to pray for,” she said. “They are dedicated to each other, devoted to each other, devoted to their family and friends.”Leupold said a child service for Vahnne will be held at 3 p.m. July 30 at the Ben Salem United Church of Christ in Lehighton.It will be child-focused, and those who attend can bring in pictures, toys, stuffed animals, and potluck.Leupold said that Vahnne would like to giggle, and was artistic, as she was learning how to embroider with her grandmother.“She was gifted, so smart, loved to read,” she said. “She was just a very bright light.”