Richland-area volunteer firefighters reported that one of the burning cell homes and its roof had collapsed. They later found five deceased occupants inside.
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The State Fire Marshal’s Office, which is a department of the Department of Commerce, is investigating along with the county sheriff and county coroner. (Fox News)
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Brandon Klein of the Commerce Department said only one occupant escaped the chimney and was transported to a local hospital via emergency services. The cause of the fire is not immediately known, he said.
The names of the victims have not been released. The State Fire Marshal’s Office, which is a department of the Department of Commerce, is investigating in conjunction with the county sheriff’s office and county coroner.
Authorities told WLWT-TV and WOWK-TV that two young men were among the other five people killed.
“Regardless of the type of death, it’s difficult. When there are five and there are children involved, it all adds up,” said Chief Dale Sinclair of the Richland Region Volunteer Fire Department.
Sinclair said some firefighters knew the other people living on the front lines and that a briefing was planned to allow a team to “meet with everyone and try to get as much mental health help as possible. “