COLUMBUS, Neb. (AP) - A stray ember from a wood-burning fireplace sparked a house fire over the weekend that killed four people, fire officials in the eastern Nebraska city of Columbus said.
The Nebraska State Fire Marshal's office said Monday in a news release that Lars Barcel, 27, and Janelle Miller, 28, died in the fire, along with 6-year-old Natasha Lambrecht and 4-month-old Lars Alex Barcel Jr.
The State Fire Marshal's Office said Monday the four all died of smoke inhalation.
The fire broke out Saturday morning in a house in the heart of Columbus, which is about 70 miles (112.65 kilometers) northwest of Omaha. Firefighters pulled all four from the house and rushed them to a local hospital, where they were pronounced dead.
State Fire Marshal's investigators and Columbus police determined that the ember from a fireplace ignited nearby combustible materials.
Investigators said smoke detectors were present in the house, but the batteries weren't connected.
Barcel and Miller planned to marry, according to an obituary on the website of the Columbus funeral home. Natasha was born during Janelle's first marriage and the couple's son, "Baby Alex," was born June 2.
. . .
Nebraska State Fire Marshal News Release
COLUMBUS, Neb.-At approximately 5:42 Saturday morning, Columbus Fire Department responded to reports of a house fire at 1052 20th Ave. Upon arrival, firefighters found heavy smoke coming from the house with an active fire in the living room. Four individuals occupying the house at the time of the fire were transported to Columbus Community Hospital where they were pronounced deceased.
The victims have been identified as Lars Barcel, 27, Janelle Miller, 28, and two children all of Columbus. Preliminary autopsy results indicate the cause of death was smoke inhalation related to the fire.
Following a joint investigation, State Fire Marshal Investigators along with the Columbus Police Department determined an ember from the wood burning fireplace ignited nearby combustible materials. Battery operated smoke detectors were present in the house; however, the investigation found that the batteries were not connected.
Responding agencies included the Columbus Fire Department, Columbus Rural Fire Department, Columbus Police Department, Midwest Medical and the Platte County Attorney’s Office.