COLUMBUS – Columbus fire officials say three fires started by children have resulted in five fatalities in the city so far this year.
Most recently, a 2-year-old girl died Friday from injuries suffered in a house fire the previous day in a North Linden home. The fire at 1675 Minnesota Avenue was started by an older sibling who admitted lighting paper on his bed in the same bedroom, Battalion Chief Steve Martin said.
Three other children and the girl’s great-uncle, who lived at the same address was babysitting at the time, were able to escape but Martin says the smoke and heat were too intense for anyone to get upstairs and find the toddler.
On Jan. 21, two children died when one of them started a fire by lighting paper on his bed at their home on Town Street, Martin said.
On May 9, Martin says a juvenile lighting paper on his bed caused a fire that resulted in his grandfather being sent to the hospital with critical injuries.
The cases do not indicate an increase of children playing with fire, said Capt. Jeff Martin of the division’s Fire and Explosives Investigation Unit, but he says these fires resulted in fatalities or serious injuries.
There have been several fires this year attributed to children playing with fire that did not result in someone getting hurt, including a fire at Goodwill thrift store on Renner Road, resulting in $100,000 in estimated damage, Steve Martin said.
Parents of children who have shown a strong curiosity with fire, or anyone who would like to know more about the Columbus Division of Fire Juvenile Fire Setters Program are encouraged to call 614-724-0936.