Children playing with lighter caused fatal Lancaster fire, officials say

A previous report can be seen in the player above.

LANCASTER, Ohio (WCMH) -- The Lancaster Fire Department determined that a fatal house fire on June 26 was caused by children playing with a lighter.

Just before 3 p.m. on June 26, Lancaster firefighters went to the 800 block of North Pierce Avenue after reports of a house engulfed in flames. A 55-year-old man was found in the front yard injured and was taken to a hospital in critical condition.

Before firefighters arrived, a 54-year-old woman, a 3-year-old girl, and a 5-year-old boy got out of the house. The boy was taken to a hospital for treatment. Inside the house, firefighters found a 3-year-old girl, who was pronounced dead. Two dogs also died.

According to the fire department's investigation, the fire was accidental as the children were playing with a lighter inside the house. The house received extensive damage and did not have working smoke alarms.

“Hopefully, we can educate the community and educate those so we can hopefully prevent something like this from happening ever again,” Assistant Fire Chief Slade Schultz said.