Electrical malfunction caused fire

NILES -- An electrical malfunction caused the fire in which a family of four was killed, the state fire marshal's office has ruled.
Andria Price, 33, and her three daughters, Chelsea Smith, 13; Angela Miner, 8; and Jenna Miner, 6, died of smoke inhalation during a Thursday morning blaze at their home at 902 N. Main St.
The fire marshal ruled Monday that the fire started in the southeast corner in the living room of the 2 1/2-story house.
Chuck Hanni, an investigator with the fire marshal, said it couldn't be determined if the malfunction was in the house electrical wiring or a lamp or fan in the corner.
Hanni said that the fire damage was largely confined to the first floor, but extremely hot gases rose into the second floor. The Trumbull County coroner ruled the four died of smoke inhalation.
The bodies were found in Price's bedroom. Her father, Larry Price of Cortland, said it wasn't unusual for the four to sleep in his daughter's bedroom because it was the only room in the house with an air conditioner.
Memorials
An ecumenical memorial service will be at 4 p.m. Thursday in Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, Niles, where friends may call from 2 p.m. until the time of service in the church.
Arrangements are being handled by the Joseph Rossi Funeral Home, Niles, and McFarland & amp; Son Funeral, Warren.
Also, a living-tree memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Niles Middle School, where a dogwood tree will be planted in memory of the girls. Chelsea was a middle-school pupil, and Angela and Jenna attended Bonham Elementary.