Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
NORTH MANCHESTER - Clothing and paper put into an oven by a child was the cause for a Monday night apartment fire that injured seven people.
According to a press release from North Manchester Public Safety director Jack Fetrow, it was determined that a 5-year-old child placed the combustible materials into an electric oven. The oven door was left open and the fire spread into the kitchen.
Two adults and four other children were asleep in the downtown apartment when the fire began. The residence is above The High Five Sporting Goods Store on East Main Street.
Most seriously injured in the fire was Latisha Williams, 7, who suffered smoke inhalation and was admitted to Lutheran Hospital, Fort Wayne, for treatment of her injuries. She has since been discharged from the hospital.
Residents of the apartment, Taven Williams, 20, and Robert Michael and Gage Steven Williams, both 2, were all treated at the scene for their injuries. Visitors to the apartment included Michael Thrush, 27, who was treated at the scene, and Johnny Lee Learned, 4 months, and Ty Lee Parrett, 5, who both were treated at Wabash County Hospital and released.
Damage from the fire is estimated at $25,000.
