6 victims of fire died of smoke inhalation

Staff report

WARREN

The Trumbull County coroner said Monday that six people killed in a June 16 house fire on Lands-downe Avenue Northwest died from smoke inhalation.

Dr. Humphrey Germaniuk also called the deaths accidental. Derek Dorsey, 30, and Audrey Johnson, 30, along with their children, Derek Jr., 11, and Ariell, 9, perished in the fire. Also killed were Derek Sr.’s niece, Miracle Hugley, 9; and Audrea’s niece, Ja’Niece Hicks, 13, of Columbus.

In late June, the Ohio State Fire Marshal’s Office said it believed the fire was caused by a charcoal grill near the house that most likely was last used during a family cookout the previous day. Charcoal briquettes can retain enough heat to ignite a fire for 12 to 26 hours, according to a statement from the marshal’s office.

The fire was reported to 911 at 4:43 a.m., and investigators found no smoke detectors in the house. The blaze is the deadliest fire on record at the Warren Fire Department.