Akron fire investigators say that a house fire last month that killed four people, including two children, was caused by unattended cooking.
Authorities on Thursday morning announced the results of their investigation into the blaze at the three-story home at 266 E. Tallmadge Ave. in the city’s North Hill neighborhood.
Investigators found “heavy damage to the first floor kitchen area at and near the gas stove,” the department said in a news release. “The knobs of the stove were completely burned off, and evidence shows one burner was in the on position.”
The damage was too severe to determine what was being cooked, fire Lt. Sierjie Lash said.
The fire spread upward in a “chimney effect” and reached the second floor.
Firefighters didn’t see any smoke detectors, but investigators were unable to determine conclusively whether they were present or not. Investigators had said they were considering filing charges against the landlord for not providing smoke detectors.
Lash said investigators are not seeking charges now. The department is now focused on educating the public about the importance of smoke detectors, she said.
Two families lived at the rental home at the time of the blaze, which started sometime after 12:30 a.m. Dec. 3.
Omar Riley, 37, and partner Shirley Wallis, 33, occupied most of the home with Shaniya Wallis, 12; Aniyla Riley, 9; and Shanice Riley, 8.
Jennifer Grubbs lived in the third-story attic bedroom.
Omar Riley, Shirley Wallis, Aniyla Riley and Shanice Riley were killed.
Grubbs, 34, escaped the home by leaping from an attic window. The oldest girl, Shaniya, was revived.
The estates of Omar Riley and his two daughters who died have filed a wrongful death lawsuit in U.S. District Court against landlord Joni Laidig of Akron seeking $25 million in damages. The suit claims she didn’t equip the home with smoke detectors.
Rick Armon can be reached at 330-996-3569 or rarmon@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter at @armonrickABJ .