Cause of a Clark County fire that took two young lives may never be known. Neillsville Fire Chief Matt Meyer and other officials spent Monday looking for clues at the scene of the rural Willard home where fire broke out late Sunday night, killing two young children, who were trapped in an upstairs bedroom.
While the cause of the fire is unclear, Meyer said arson has been ruled out. The blaze originated in the area near the bedroom where 3-year-old Qunita Frenn and 1-year-old Latti Frenn were trapped. The grandparents, two aunts, neighbors, sheriff's deputies and firefighters all tried to rescue the girls from the burning bedroom, but no one could reach them. That room was completely engulfed in flames by the time deputies arrived on the scene. Meyer said space heaters and matches are possible causes, but there is not enough evidence to say with any certainty. One firefigher, Terry Marty, suffered smoke inhalation while battling the fire. Marty was released from the hospital Monday.
Meyer has been on the fire department for 25 years. This is the first fatal house fire he's had to fight; he concedes it's been a very hard couple days for his department.
AUDIO: Paul Knoff reports (:60 MP3)
