Twice deadly fire in Terrace ruled accidental
THE CAUSE of death of two men in a fatal house fire here one year ago has been determined to be an accident.
Gabriel and Lawrence Williams, both 20, died as a result of carbon monoxide poisoning from smoke inhalation in the January 2011 fire, said the coroner's report.
Other conditions contributing to death were alcohol intoxication and the report said neither man woke up during the slow burning residential fire.
On Jan. 15, 2011, firefighters were called to the residential blaze on Scott Ave. and upon entering the building, they discovered two deceased men upstairs in two separate bedrooms, the report continued.
An investigator from the Fire Commissioner's office and the RCMP aided in the investigation, said the report.
Police were told by others who had been in the residence that both men “passed out” before the fire broke out, the report continued.
Fire investigators determined that the blaze began in a closet at the top of the stairs likely from a cigarette discarded into the contents on the floor of the closet as they found no evidence of any other cause, said the report.
The closet did not contain any electrical appliances or connections and no evidence of any accelerant was found, the report said.
COMMENTS
Let's keep comments:
We ask that all participants own their words by logging in with their Facebook account. It's a simple process that will take seconds and helps keep our comments free of trolls, cranks, and “drive-by” commenters.
We reserve the right to remove comments from anyone using screen names, pseudonyms or false identities. Please see our FAQ if you have questions or concerns about using Facebook to comment.