House fire kills 2-year-old

Associated Press

BELPRE, Ohio

A toddler has died in a fire in southeast Ohio that destroyed one of two adjoining homes and heavily damaged the other.

The state fire marshal’s office says crews in Belpre recovered the body of 2-year-old Bianca Jackson around 7:30 p.m. Monday, about five hours after the fire was reported. Authorities say crews had to use heavy equipment to find the body beneath debris.

The fire marshal’s office said Tuesday it was still not clear what started the fire in the community 90 miles southeast of Columbus. Belpre police Chief E.D. Clevenger tells The Marietta Times that investigators don’t think it was caused by anything criminal.