ANDERSON — Investigators say children playing with a lighter caused a fire that killed two young girls on New Year’s Eve.
Anderson Fire Department arson investigator Guy Bodenhorn said a preliminary investigation determined that two boys, ages 3 and 4, snuck a lighter into a bedroom where their sisters were sleeping, shut the door and accidentally started the blaze shortly after 11 p.m. Wednesday.
The girls, 2-year-old Hayley Bouslog and 1-year-old Jessica Bouslog, died in the fire. Seven other people living in the home at 420 W. Seventh St. escaped without injury.
The bedroom contained what Bodenhorn termed “ordinary combustibles,” common household items like clothing and furniture that fueled the fire.
He said more time was needed to determine if the house had been equipped with working smoke alarms. The full investigation may be completed by Wednesday.
Lighters, candles and stove knobs that children can easily turn on are some of the everyday things that can lead to major fire, Bodenhorn said.
“Fortunately, it wasn’t a gun,” he said, “but in this case, it was just as bad.”
By Friday afternoon, a pile of stuffed animals, toys and flowers had formed next to framed photos of the two victims on the sidewalk in front of the charred home.
The girls’ parents, Amanda and Jeff Bouslog, their three sons, Jeff’s mother, Darlene Bouslog, and her nephew Joe Bouslog are staying in the Anderson home of Amanda Bouslog’s father, William Gilliam.
The family lost all of their possessions in the fire, and Gilliam said donations and offers of assistance had started to pour in. His home phone number was busy for most of the day Friday.
“We’ve had several calls about places where they can rent,” Gilliam said, adding that the family, as of now, had “plenty of food.”
Funeral arrangements for the girls had not been set, Gilliam said, but the girls were to be buried together.
Along with already helping the family purchase emergency food and clothing, the Red Cross was offering help in the form of housing, rent assistance and emotional support, spokeswoman Ann Gregson said.
A relief fund for the Bouslog family has been established at National City Bank. Contributions can be made at any bank branch.
Cops, courts and fires
Related Photos
-
Don Knight
-
Don Knight
Discussion
Fatal Fire: Lighter started blaze
- Cops, courts and fires
-
-
Stolen car arrest in Spiceland leads to abducted New Jersey boy
Indiana authorities say a 6-year-old New Jersey boy abducted two months ago will be reunited with his father after a stolen car arrest led police to his whereabouts.
-
Arrest Log: Feb. 13
Arrests made by Madison County law enforcement on Saturday, based on Madison County Jail records. Charges are recommended by arresting officers, but are not final until the Madison County prosecutor reviews the case and files official charges.
-
Muncie mayor keeps pledge, reopens 2 fire houses
Muncie Mayor Dennis Tyler has reopened two closed fire stations, keeping a promise he made in his successful campaign last fall.
-
Arrest Log: Feb. 12
Arrests made by Madison County law enforcement on Friday and Saturday, based on Madison County Jail records. Charges are recommended by arresting officers but are not final until the Madison County prosecutor reviews the case and files official charges.
-
Indiana judge dismisses charges against ex-Pitt coach
An Indiana judge has dismissed a domestic battery charge against former Notre Dame offensive coordinator Michael Haywood, who served briefly as Pittsburgh's head football coach before the case led to his firing.
-
Man sentenced to 40 years for sex with teen
A man convicted of having a sexual relationship with a minor was sentenced Monday to 40 years in prison.
-
Brother allegedly stabs brother in Elwood
Another brother-on-brother stabbing occurred in Elwood Thursday, according to Elwood Police Department Chief Sam Hanna.
-
Arrest log: Feb. 11
Arrests made by Madison County law enforcement on Wednesday through Friday, based on jail records.
-
Police: Man stabbed by brother
Police responded to the report of a stabbing early Thursday morning.
-
Arrest log: Feb. 9
Arrests made by Madison County law enforcement on Wednesday and Thursday, based on Madison County Jail records. Charges are recommended by arresting officers, but are not final until the Madison County Prosecutor reviews the case and files official charges.
- More Cops, courts and fires Headlines
-
Stolen car arrest in Spiceland leads to abducted New Jersey boy
