COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Jefferson Township Fire Department revealed the cause of a fire that killed a grandmother and grandson in Blacklick earlier this month.
Firefighters were dispatched to a home in the 8600 block of Greylag Street just before 2:15 a.m. on a report of a fire. Heavy plumes of smoke were seen coming from the house and flames could be seen burning inside the first and second floors.
Officials said two girls inside the home, ages 10 and 12, were alerted to the fire after hearing the smoke detector and seeing smoke. The girls were outside of the home by the time fire crews arrived. Their grandmother, Marielda Nangah, and young grandson, D'Andre Berry-Samba, were still inside.
Fire Chief Bradford Shull said the grandmother was trying to close doors and isolate the fire to help her grandchildren escape.
Fire crews could not enter the home earlier in the battle because of the extend of the fire. Crews found Nangah and Berry-Samba inside hours later.
Investigators released their findings on Friday, revealing that the fire was caused by an unattended pot that was left on an active burner.
"Cooking fires are the leading cause of house fires in the United States," Shull said in a release. He added that he hopes homeowners will prioritize safety while cooking and checking to make sure that all appliances are turned off.
Shull also stressed the importance of biannual checks of smoke detectors to make sure they're working properly.
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