Tuesday, February 01, 2000
Felicity fire started in bedroom
Kerosene heater not ruled out
BY TOM O'NEILL
The Cincinnati Enquirer
FELICITY — A weekend fire that killed a mother and her two young children started in the bedroom where they were found, and a nearby kerosene heater has not been eliminated as a possible cause, the state fire marshal's office said Monday.
Meanwhile, Felicity-Franklin Fire Department spokesman Michael Brill emphasized the heater is only a suspect, but warned against their use in homes.
“They are just not safe to have in a residence,” he said. “People put them next to flammable things. It happens so fast, people don't realize how fast it can spread.”
Killed were Felicia Augst, 27, her daughter, Mikeala, 4, and son, Michael, 1. Two older sons and Mrs. Augst's husband, Michael, were not home when the fire broke out at 11 a.m. Sunday.
Neighbors said the Augsts' mobile home on Vine Street in this Clermont County village of 856 was plagued by furnace problems and that the family was relying on the kerosene unit for heat. The family owned the trailer and rented the lot.
Fire investigators returned to the home Monday to sift through the rubble. It is unclear whether the home had smoke detectors, but on Monday they confirmed the fire started in the bedroom.
“We go by ruling things out, not in, and the heater hasn't been ruled out,” said Tom Ratcliff, spokesman for the fire marshal's office in Columbus.
Mr. Brill said Monday that portable kerosene heaters must be kept at least 3 feet from flammable things like curtains, bedspreads and furniture, and that many people underestimate their potential danger.
“Find an alternative source of heat,” he said. “They're extremely dangerous to have in the house.”
He said electric heaters are a lot safer, but you have to make sure you don't use light-weight extension cords.
Mr. Ratcliff said the investigation is continuing. No funeral information was available Monday.
Chief acknowledges racial profiling
Deal revives deck for Fort Washington Way
Maynard leaving zoo
Zoo restores macaws to native range in Trinidad
Skeletons in the American family closet
Ohio EPA under federal review
Sheppard on trial again - 46 years later
Mount St. Joseph students get PCs
Warmer air moving in
Leis likely to run unopposed
NKU buys supermarket for expansion
Queen City's moments to shine reflected in book
Tall Stacks declared financial success
Ex-Talking Head offers new look
GET TO IT
Getting married? Be in our 'Love Story'
Jeff Marks makes more mayhem
'Nova' builds case for ancient engineering marvels
AROUND THE COMMONWEALTH
Cable firm likes tax revamp
Cease-fire asked in Mason-Deerfield
Councilman charged with DUI after crash
DeWine, GOP groups report millions
Fairfield replaces outmoded firehouse
Felicity fire started in bedroom
Holcomb campaign fund 18 times Piper's
Kings High reconsiders class schedule
McConnell denies targeting first lady
Middleton joins Kenton prosecutor's office
Newport to change sign rules
Norwood ex-chief retires with deal for $130,000
Officer who shot driver questioned
On second look, candidate passes test
Sheriff wants jail to include tribute to fallen officers
Stealth candidate a GOP mystery
Tear gas flushes man out after standoff
TRISTATE DIGEST
