AKRON Fire in duplex kills 4 family members
The medical examiner's office said the victims died of smoke inhalation.
AKRON (AP) -- A fire that swept through half of a duplex killed a grandmother and grandfather, their daughter-in-law and 2-year-old grandson, authorities said Wednesday.
The fire was reported about 11:30 p.m. Tuesday in a three-story side-by-side duplex in a blue-collar neighborhood in south Akron. A resident in the neighboring unit escaped unharmed, said fire department spokesman Edward Sturkey.
The victims were identified by the Summit County medical examiner and a cousin as Abdul Shaik, 68; his wife, Bibi Shaik, 57; their daughter-in-law, Saeeda Shaik, 26; and Saeeda's 2-year-old son, Samir Shaik. Preliminary autopsy results indicate they died of smoke inhalation, according to the medical examiner's office.
Saeeda Shaik's husband and brother also lived in the home but were at work at the time of the fire, according to a cousin, Roaf Syed.
Syed, who arrived at the home at midmorning with relatives who hugged and cried while standing on the brick-paved street, said the family was trying to find out what happened.
Under investigation
The cause of the fire was under investigation but wasn't believed to be suspicious, Sturkey said. Investigators have not ruled out arson, he said.
Ramona Owens, 34, a neighbor who lives a couple doors away, said she woke up and saw rescuers outside.
"They were carrying the baby across the road. The baby was so burnt and the hair was just scorched," Owens said. "I feel bad for the family. My heart cries out to them."
Tracie Martin, who lives across the street, said she often saw the grandfather walking the boy up the street. They were a quiet family, she said.
Bibi Shaik was pronounced dead at the scene. The others were declared dead at hospitals.
Firefighters arriving at the scene saw flames shooting from the house and made an aggressive attempt to fight it, Sturkey said.
The child's death left veteran firefighters shaken, he said. "We've got some guys with hurt hearts," Sturkey said.
The burned duplex was charred on one side and the aluminum siding had melted on the house next door.