RIVERDALE, Utah — The fire that engulfed a Riverdale home, killing five members of one family, was started by an overheated power strip, according to fire officials.
Riverdale Fire Chief Matthew Hennessy told FOX 13 News that arson had been ruled out and Thursday's overnight fire will be categorized as accidental.
"It's just heartbreaking, gut-wrenching, and something no family or community should have to go through," Hennessy said.
Hennessy said the fire started from a power strip next to the front door, which trapped many of the Bird family inside the home. The parents and two of the surviving children escaped through a walk-out basement door, while the kids who were upstairs were unable to leave the burning house.
He called it "the perfect storm" since this happened in the overnight hours when the family was sleeping, so they didn't know about the fire early on. And then the location of the fire trapped the kids whose bedrooms were upstairs, inside.
"Really appreciate any support that’s been given to this family and to first responders as we navigate this tragedy," Hennessy said.
Neighborhood mourns father, children killed in Riverdale fire:
Chief Hennessy said they are seeing an increasing number of accidental electric fires.
"From charging devices and power cords and power strips, they're just not rated for some of the wattage that's being pulled through," explained Chief Hennessy.
He said he does not know which appliances were plugged into that strip. Because the area where the fire started is so charred, Hennessy said fire officials are currently unable to determine the exact model of the power strip. The fire chief urged people to unplug items from power strips once devices are fully charged and use wall sockets whenever possible.
He also thanked the community for supporting the family and the first responders who are also working through this tragedy.
"All the way from the dispatchers, to the nurses, to the investigators that have taken care of this," Hennessy said. "The fire department, police department first on scene, they'll carry this with them for the rest of their lives."
The father and three of the family's six children died in the hours following the fire, while another child died Sunday.
If you would like to help the Bird family with expenses, donations can be made to:
Bird Family Memorial Account
#746009136425
America First Credit Union
Those transferring funds from an America First Credit Union account should use: Savings 9136425