FOXNews.com - Police: Children Who Died in Pittsburgh House Fire Left Home Alone, Playing With Matches Started Blaze - Local News | News Articles | National News | US News
The outcome of this story is tragic...yet much more expected then the first story (about a babysitter that fled the scene). Children (under the age of 5) that die in fires, often die in fires set by other children...and the leading factor in child fire play...is children that are left unattended (not monitored...)Unfortunently this story illustrates all too clearly the statistics that make up our nations fire problem.
PITTSBURGH — Police investigating a row house fire that killed five small children earlier this week have determined that the youngsters had been left home alone and started the blaze when they were playing with matches.
There was no 17-year-old baby sitter looking after them, as authorities had originally been told.
Seven children ages 3 to 8 were left home by themselves, according to authorities. Five died and two 8-year-old boys escaped uninjured.
The fire, first reported at about 1:20 a.m. Tuesday, began when children playing with matches ignited furnishings in the living room on the second floor, officials said. The five children, who were found in an adjoining bedroom, died from smoke inhalation and carbon monoxide poisoning.
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For more info on Children and Fire, check out these links:
Child Fire Casualties
Children and Fire (Firesetting information)
Fire Risk and Children
Investigating City Characteristics and Residential Fire Rates
Children and Fire in the US 1994-1997
Socioeconomic Factors and the Incidence of Fire
Fire in the United States
Resources for Parents and Teachers
More Resources from www.usfa.dhs.gov
