The West Virginia State Fire
Marshal’s Office is investigating a deadly fire in the town of Clay that killed
four children.
Investigators with the WV SFMO
were contacted through the West Virginia Arson Hotline on Saturday, Jan. 12 of
confirmed fatalities after a residential fire in the town of Clay. Upon
examination of the scene, investigators have ruled the fire to be undetermined
in cause but most probably accidental. There were smoke alarms in the home.
“First Lady Cathy Justice and I
are absolutely devastated and heartbroken after finding out about this horrific
fire Sunday that claimed the lives of four of our beautiful West Virginia
children in Clay County," Governor Jim
Justice said. “Please join us as we pray for these young people and their
families. It absolutely breaks our hearts that these children also had to
endure the hardship of becoming foster children. This is an absolute tragedy.”
The gender and age of each victim
will not be released until positive identification can be made by the Office of
the Chief Medical Examiner.
“What a devastating tragedy to
this family, the community, and this State," said State Fire Marshal Ken
Tyree. “Our sincere condolences go out to this family who mourn during this
great loss. We commend the valiant efforts of all involved in this tragic incident;
the family, first responders, and others who may have assisted from this
community. We stand to support this family and all the first responders
to this incident as they work through the pain they may carry from this tragedy
and we challenge you to do the same!”
The four children who died in the
fire were in the foster care program according to the WV Department of Health
and Human Resources (DHHR). DHHR notes that the initial home study
revealed that the foster home had working smoke detectors, fire extinguishers
and carbon monoxide detectors. An in-person visit by a DHHR worker was
last made to the foster home in December 2018 and no issues were noted.
“This event has been a truly
heartbreaking experience for the Department and all those involved,” said Bill
J. Crouch, Cabinet Secretary of DHHR. “At this time, and because there
are active investigations by the West Virginia State Police and the State Fire
Marshal’s Office, along with pending autopsies, the DHHR is unable to discuss
further details. We take the responsibility of caring for foster children
seriously. Our continued thoughts are with those touched by this
tragedy.”
Fire Marshal's Office: Courtney.A.Rosemond@wv.gov or Timothy.T.Rock@wv.gov; DHHR: DHHRCommunications@wv.gov