WESTERVILLE, Ohio -- Investigators ruled no criminal charges will be filed after a house fire that killed a 17-year-old Westerville girl in September.
The Westerville Division of fire completed their investigation this week into a fire at a home on Allview Road.
Victims told investigators they never heard smoke alarms go off. Investigators determined the fire started in the kitchen from unattended cooking.
Firefighters say several people were trapped inside the house calling 911 beginning at 5:09 a.m.
Crews arrived on the scene within six minutes, immediately started battling smoke and flames to rescue 17-year old Hannah Sarver, but they couldn't reach her in time.
Firefighters said Hannah's mother and another adult saved themselves from the burning house by jumping from a second story window. Firefighters say a third victim in the basement also escaped.
Sarver was a Westerville South High School Student but attended the Delaware Career Center full time. A teacher described Hannah as determined and accepting, saying "she didn't have an enemy."
Since the fire, Westerville Fire has partnered with the American Red Cross to initiate a program called "You call, We'll Install" to help residences who do not have smoke working detectors.
For more information contact Westerville Division of Fire.
