Probe continues in Greene County fire
FRANKLIN TWP. – State police are still investigating the cause of a Greene County fire that took the lives of a woman and six children Saturday morning. However, it is known the Valley Farm Drive home was without natural gas service and that wood-burning stoves and space heaters were used to keep the 11/2-story residence warm.
The fire, which started around 3 a.m., quickly engulfed Steve and Rebecca Eddy’s home, leaving little opportunity for the family to escape.
Rebecca Eddy, 26, and her three daughters – 10-year-old Tiffany Blake, 9-year-old Rebecca Blake and 7-year-old Diamond Blake – were killed in the blaze. Also killed were three of Eddy’s nieces and nephews: Donna Jo Arthur, 5; Josh Arthur Jr., 3; and Christopher Arthur, 2.
Autopsy results show all seven died from smoke inhalation and burns.
Greene County Deputy Coroner Mary Lewis said results from the autopsies conducted by forensic pathologist Dr. Cyril Wecht show the official cause of death for all seven victims to be acute carbon monoxide poisoning and severe extensive thermal injury.
“It’s always tough when children are involved, but this is so sad,” Lewis said. “I think this is the worst fire Greene County has had in years.”
Lewis said the bodies of Eddy and Tiffany Blake were found in an upstairs room, possibly a bathroom. The bodies of Rebecca Blake, Diamond Blake and Donna Jo Arthur were found in the downstairs living room, and the bodies of Josh Arthur Jr. and Christopher Arthur were found in a bedroom adjacent to the living room, she said.
Trooper Brian Burden said crews had difficulty removing bodies from the house because a damaged portion of the roof posed a hazard.
Lewis said the Eddy and the six children were pronounced dead at 10:12 a.m.
Neighbors said the early-morning fire quickly engulfed the wooden house and that flames shot 20 feet into the air.
Rebecca Eddy was the only adult to perish in the fire.
Eddy’s husband, Steve Eddy, 32; Eddy’s brother-in-law, Josh Arthur Sr. 28; her mother, Lucille Treat; and her brother Robert Husner, 27; were in the house when it caught fire, but were able to escape the flames, police said.
A spokeswoman for Equitable Resources, an energy company that serves the area, confirmed the house had been without natural gas service since May 2005.
Neighbors and family said the Eddy’s relied on wood-burning stoves and space heaters to keep the house warm.
As of Sunday, police were not saying whether space heaters caused the fire.
Fire Marshall Sean Jones stationed at the Washington state police barrack is investigating the fire. He could not be reached for comment Sunday.
The grandmother of the six children killed in the fire said the family’s doing as well as can be expected.
Donna Arthur, mother of Steve Eddy and Josh Arthur Sr., said she was at her Waynesburg home when the fire erupted.
“We’re doing the best we can, just moment by moment,” she said, declining to comment further.
Josh Arthur Sr., father of three of the children killed in the fire, suffered severe burns attempting to get the children out of the house and was listed in serious condition Sunday, according to a spokesman for Mercy Hospital in Pittsburgh. The children had been visiting their father for the weekend.
Also injured in the blaze was Shawn Arthur, the brother of Steve Eddy and Josh Arthur Sr., who lives in a trailer on the property and sustained injuries while attempting to rescue the children.
Steve and Rebecca Eddy have two children who were not at home when the fire erupted. Austin Eddy, 5, and Amber Eddy, 4, were both staying at a grandparent’s house.
In addition to losing their mother, three sisters and three cousins, the two young children also lost their possessions in the house, including much of their winter clothing, family members said.
The adults who escaped the blaze are also without needed clothing and possession, family said, noting that the Eddy’s had no health or homeowners insurance.
Anyone wishing to contact the family about donations can call 724-998-1685.
Red Cross spokeswoman Jill Berardi said volunteers with the Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter were on scene offering support to family members.
Berardi said the Red Cross has offered shelter for the remaining family members who are currently without a place to stay.
The Red Cross also offered counseling services, Berardi said. “
It’s going to be a long road for them,” she said “This is devastating.”