Investigators Release Report On Fire That Killed 2 Sacramento Children

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) – Investigators have released their report on the fire that took the lives of two children.

The fire started in the early morning hours of Dec. 1 at a home on Babette Way. Five people were able to make it out of the home, but two children in an upstairs bedroom could not escape.

According to initial reports, fire crews were slowed in their rescue efforts due to a collapsed stairwell. Further, a ladder couldn't reach the bedroom in time.

More details have been released by investigators, as follows:

-Investigators determined the fire originated in the first story living room. The specific cause of the fire is undetermined at this time. Investigators have identified several viable ignition sources that may have contributed to the cause of the fire, but are unable to discern which source is likely responsible for the fire with a high level of certainty.

-Investigators determined that early ventilation influenced the fire's progression from the living room up the staircase to the upstairs bedroom prior to the arrival of fire suppression personnel.

-Investigators were unable to confirm if the home had a working smoke detector. It was reported that an alarm may have been heard the time the fire was discovered, however investigators were unable to find evidence of a smoke detector inside the home after the fire.

-Sacramento Fire crews have responded to this address on at least two prior occasions for fires, in 2013 and 2012.

Ire Johnson, 11, and Israel Johnson, 6, died in the fire. If you're interested in helping the family, donations can be made out to the "Cole Family Memorial Fund" and can be dropped off at any Wells Fargo location.