A raging house fire has killed five resettled Bhutanese in Akron, OH on September 13, according to The Summit County Medical Examiner’s Office.
“Two adults and three children were killed in a house fire in the 1100 block of Linden Avenue, located in Akron’s North Hill neighborhood,” reported News 5 Cleveland.
A Bhutanese community leader from Akron, OH informed BNS that those who died were in the first floor, while the survivors were in the second floor and one survivor might have slept in the basement.
“I’ve heard one or more survivors might have thrown themselves out of the second floor of the house,” added community leader who requested for anonymity given that the situation is still under investigation. “It is so devastating for the community,” he added.
Those who survived, four in total, are current receiving treatment at a local medical facility and their condition in unknown as of the writing of this report.
The victims who hailed originally from Tshering, Bhutan had lived in the Beldangi-II refugee camp prior being resettled in the United States.
“This is a tragedy for our community, our fire department, and especially this family. We saw the strength and courage of our firefighters as they worked hard to find and rescue victims, and their compassion in assisting the family and neighbors. We appreciate the strength of the community as we have seen such support for this family,” Akron fire chief Clarence Tucker said, quoted News 5 Cleveland.
According to the local news report, when firefighters arrived at scene approximately 1 a.m. Monday, the house was fully engulfed.
According to News 5 report, fire officials said in addition to the five people who died inside the home, four others were taken to nearby hospitals, including three adults and one child. Those individuals were treated for burns and smoke inhalation.
A neighbor who had her window open heard screaming and called 911, stated the local news.
It is reportedly learned that the cause and determination of the fire remains under investigation.
