STEUBENVILLE - The state fire marshal's office and the city fire department were to return today to the scene of a fire at 362 Terrace Ave. that claimed the life of Skyler Ellenberger, 5, late Thursday afternoon.
The fire department was called around 5:40 p.m. and found heavy smoke and flames coming from the two-story wooden house. The fire department reported the residents and three children were able to safely get out of the house.
Firefighters were able to quickly knock down the fire and had the blaze extinguished within 15 minutes.
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FATAL FIRE — City firefighters were called around 5:40 p.m. to a fire at 362 Terrace Ave. and found the body of Skyler Ellenberger, 5, trapped inside a second-floor bedroom. The state fire marshal’s office and a city fire department inspector will continue an investigation today to try to determine the cause of the fire. – Michael D. McElwain
The fire department reported the child's body was found in the second floor apartment bedroom.
The room had the most fire damage, the fire department reported. Most of the fire damage was on the second floor, the fire department reported.
An investigator from the fire marshal's office and the city fire department inspector did a preliminary investigation Thursday evening.
Dr. Michael Scarpone, county coroner, said he is waiting for a determination from the fire marshal's office on the cause of the fire. He said an autopsy may be ordered depending on the determined cause of the fire.
The Weriton Fire Department provided assistance at the scene and Wintersville Fire and Rescue stood by at a city fire station.
