COLUMBUS – Police say a fire and possible explosion that killed two adults and a 2-year-old girl inside a Southeast Side home Wednesday night might have been the result of arson.
UPDATE 1/2/20 3:54 p.m.: This article has been edited to include additional information, including the identity of the juvenile victim.
Columbus Division of Fire personnel responded to 3380 Retriever Road on a report of a fire at approximately 7:30 p.m. and found the home engulfed in flames when they arrived, Homicide Unit Sgt. David Shimberg said.
During the course of fighting the fire, they discovered Nerissa Distin 33, and Gary Morris, 42, who were pronounced dead at the scene, and 2-year-old Serina Morris, who was pronounced deceased at 9:23 p.m., Shimberg said.
Neighbors reported a loud boom that shook homes in the neighborhood.
Firefighters say two other children lived at the home but weren’t there at the time.
The Homicide Unit and Fire Division investigators are treating this incident as a suspicious death.
Anyone with information regarding this incident, is asked to call the Columbus Police Homicide Unit at 614-645-4730 or Central Ohio Crime Stoppers at 614-461-TIPS.