5 children killed in Bullhead City house fire as dad shopped for Christmas gifts, investigators say

[mahatmakanejeeves]

5 children killed in Bullhead City house fire as dad shopped for Christmas gifts, investigators say

By Mason Carroll and AZFamily Digital News Staff
Published: Dec. 18, 2023 at 7:57 PM EST

BULLHEAD CITY, AZ (3TV/CBS 5) - Dozens of flowers and stuffed animals line a fence around a home in Bullhead City as the city is mourning the loss of five children who died in a fire at a duplex over the weekend.

The fire happened at a home close to the Colorado River, northwest of Hancock and Ramar roads. Police say a 13-year-old boy, a 5-year-old boy, a 4-year-old girl, and a 2-year-old boy were all siblings and were in the home along with an 11-year-old boy relative who was visiting at the time. All five children were in the same upstairs bedroom of the two-story duplex.

The fire was reported around 4:54 p.m., with Bullhead City firefighters arriving at the scene 5 minutes later. Several neighbors reportedly attempted to rescue the kids inside the home by placing an extension ladder in the upstairs bedroom. Firefighters immediately began to put water on the flames and extinguished the main body of the fire by 5:03 p.m.

Police say a Bullhead City Fire Department employee was the grandfather of the victims, and investigators from the Lake Havasu City Fire Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms were called to assist the Bullhead City Police Department. ... Investigators say the fire originated in the downstairs foyer area and traveled up the staircase, making it impossible for the children in the upstairs bedroom to get out safely. The kids’ father told investigators he was gone for around 2.5 hours to buy groceries and Christmas gifts.

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[OAITW r.2.0]

1. Too sad.....I cannot imagine.