COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – A two-year-old girl is in serious condition after firefighters say another child in the home admitted to lighting paper on fire.
It happened Thursday evening around 7 p.m. on the northeast side. Three children inside the home got out safely, but the little girl suffered burns and smoke inhalation.
The Columbus Division of Fire says this is the second fire in two weeks where someone was seriously injured and a juvenile was believed to be playing with fire. Now, a Columbus man who lost his grandchildren the same way is speaking out.
“My heart’s still broken and I don’t think it’ll ever heal,” says Jeff Stalnaker.
He knows first-hand the danger of children playing with fire.
“We lost two in one day and there’s not a day that goes by that I don’t think about them,” he says.
On January 21 he lost his grandsons, 5-year-old Keenyn and 4-year-old Kently, when their mother’s apartment home caught fire on Town Street. He says Keenyn had a history of playing with fires.
Every time he hears of another child playing with fire it all comes rushing back.
“It’s gotta stop,” he says.
Now, a two year old little girl is in critical condition after Thursday’s house fire on Minnesota Ave.
“One of the children admitted to catching paper on fire in an upstairs bedroom,” says Columbus Fire Batallion Chief Steve Martin.
Firefighters say the incidents of injury or death in these sort of fires are up this year.
52-year-old Carlton Crowder is still in serious condition after his James Road duplex caught fire May 9. His 6 year old grandson told firefighters he was lighting paper near the bed upstairs.
Two adults were killed January 18 when their Brehl Ave duplex caught fire. Firefighters say children were playing with fireworks on the front porch.
For Jeff Stalnaker, that’s four fires too many.
“If they’ll light one, they’ll light two,” he says. “And if you catch them lighting one, put it up.”
If your child is playing with fire there are resources. The Columbus Division of Fire offers its Juvenile Fire Setters Program for free.
Firefighters say these are some of the signs parents can look for:
- Unusual fascination with fire
- Collects of lighters and matches
- Always wanting to light candles or the fire place
If you’d like more information on the program call (614) 724-0936 or visit https://www.columbus.gov/templates/detail.aspx?id=65979What others are clicking on:
