The Bullhead City, Ariz., Police Department reported that five children died in a fire that broke out in a duplex. According to authorities, four of the children were brothers and the fifth was a relative who was visiting them. Police explained that there were no survivors and that the situation arose after the father of the four children left them alone for a few hours to go buy food and Christmas gifts.
"A 13-year-old boy, 5-year-old boy, 4-year-old girl, and a 2-year-old boy were all siblings who were residents of the home. An 11-year-old boy was a relative and visiting at the time. All five children were located in the same upstairs bedroom of the two-story duplex. The children’s father reported to investigators that he was gone for approximately 2.5 hours to buy groceries and Christmas gifts," the department wrote in a statement.
Several neighbors reportedly attempted rescue efforts, including placing an extension ladder to the upstairs bedroom.
Authorities yet to determine how the fire started
Authorities highlighted that the initial investigation into the fire revealed that it originated in the downstairs lobby area, which likely made it impossible for the children in the upstairs bedroom to exit the residence safely. Additionally, police highlighted that the fire traveled up the only staircase inside the house, preventing the victims from leaving.
"Lake Havasu City and ATF Fire Investigators are continuing to determine how the fire started. Items of evidentiary value were collected to help determine the cause of the fire. The fire debris analysis will be conducted by ATF chemists and electrical engineers in their lab. The Bullhead City Police and Fire Departments thank the fire investigators for their assistance and making this investigation a priority," police said.
Eventually, it emerged that an employee of the City of Bullhead Fire Department said he was the victims' grandfather. "Fire investigators from the Lake Havasu City Fire Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms (ATF) were called in to assist the Bullhead City Police Department with the incident," police added.
The names of the five victims are being withheld pending official identification by the Mohave County Medical Examiner’s Office.
Finally, police pointed out that the investigation is ongoing and asked neighbors who have photos or videos of the fire to contact them.
