Coroner: Causes of death of young girls still pending

Shadale and Au'Zua Wright's mother was treated for her burns.
WARREN -- Coroner's office rulings on the exact manner and causes of death of the two young girls who perished in a Wednesday house fire in Leavittsburg will likely not be available for six to eight weeks, the coroner's office said Friday.
Autopsies on Shadale Wright, 1, and Au'Zua Wright, 3, were performed Thursday at Forum Health Trumbull Memorial Hospital by Dr. Humphrey Germaniuk, forensic pathologist and chief deputy coroner.
The causes of death are listed on the death certificates as "pending further studies, police investigation and fire marshal's report," the coroner's office said.
"In Trumbull County, all fire deaths are treated as homicides until proven otherwise," Dr. Germaniuk explained, noting the extensive investigative process involves police, witnesses, the state fire marshal's office and medical testing. "That's the way fire deaths should be investigated."
Warren Township Fire Chief Kenneth Schick said the fire marshal's office would likely issue a statement on the blaze in three to four days.
The tragic events
The fire broke out about 10 a.m. in a Cape Cod-style house at 823 McConnell Road near LaBrae's new school complex on North Leavitt Road.
The children's mother, Deit Dunkerton, 27, was burned and taken by helicopter to MetroHealth Medical Center in Cleveland and has since been released.
A 27-year-old Warren man who was in the house when the fire erupted received burns to his hand, but didn't immediately seek medical attention. He said it appeared the fire may have started around a sheet in the kitchen and that one of the children may have started it.
Each year about 300 people are killed and $280 million in property is destroyed in fires attributed to children playing with fire, according to the U.S. Fire Administration.
Deaths due to fires caused by children playing with fire are particularly preventable, and having a working smoke alarm reduces one's chances of dying in a fire by nearly 50 percent, the agency said.
Taking precautions
It recommends installing a smoke alarm on every level of your home, testing smoke alarm batteries every month and changing them at least annually. It urges people to consider installing a 10-year lithium battery-powered smoke alarm, which is sealed so it cannot be tampered with or opened.
Also advised by the agency:
UKeep matches, lighters and other ignitables in a secured drawer or cabinet out of the reach of children.
UTeach children to tell you when they find matches and lighters.
UAlways dress children in pajamas that meet federal flammability standards. Avoid dressing children for sleep in loose-fitting, 100 percent cotton garmets, such as oversized T-shirts.
UTeach children not to hide from firefighters, but to get out quickly and call for help from another location. Show children how to crawl low on the floor, below the smoke, to get out of the house and stay out. Demonstrate how to stop, drop to the ground and roll if clothes catch fire.
UDevelop and practice a home fire escape plan and designate a meeting place outside. Get out and stay out.
UFamiliarize children with the sound of your smoke alarm.
UCheck under beds and in closets for burnt matches, evidence your child may be playing with fire.