FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Investigators continue to look into the cause of a Thursday house fire that resulted in the death of 4-year-old Ben Garrison early Friday morning. The 4-year-old was home with his father and 18-month-old brother when the fire broke out shortly after 3:30 p.m. Thursday.
Investigators believe the father was sleeping and awoke to the house filling with smoke. He rescued the 18-month-old but could not immediately find the 4-year-old. A neighbor was able to kick in the back door and found the boy unconscious in the area of origin of the fire. The boy sustained severe burn injuries and passed away at 1:55 a.m. Friday at Mercy Hospital.
The 18-month-old and father were also transported to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Their conditions are unknown at this time.
The preliminary investigation indicates the fire was accidental, however, the ignition source has not yet been determined.
One smoke alarm was found in the residence with a battery, but the battery was placed in the alarm backwards, so it did not function.
This incident remains under investigation.
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For more information, contact: Mark Epps, 417-864-1500 (media only) or e-mail Cara Erwin at [email protected]