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An autopsy revealed that Leah Shelton died as a result of smoke inhalation and carbon monoxide poisoning in a fire that has preliminarily been ruled accidental.
The 3-year-old was trapped inside a burning Silver Lake house Monday evening. She was pronounced dead at the scene and an autopsy was performed in Fort Wayne Tuesday.
The fire occurred at the home of the child's grandmother at 806 E. Main St., Silver Lake, and started in the bedroom where Leah was found. Officials said it appears the child was asleep in a bed in the room when the fire started.
The only other person home at the time of the fire was the grandmother, Anita Shelton, who suffered second-degree burns and was admitted to Kosciusko Community Hospital Monday night for observation. She has since been released.
A neighbor who suffered a heart attack while attempting to help rescue the child also remains hospitalized. Carrol Hamilton, 52, was listed in serious condition this morning at Parkview Hospital, Fort Wayne.
Squad 70, the county's fire investigation team, is working to determine the exact cause of the fire. Michael Wilson of Warsaw Fire Department and Squad 70 said that although the fire remains under investigation, it is being preliminarily ruled accidental, with a probable electrical origin.
Information from investigators indicates there were no working smoke detectors in the area where the fire began.
