Investigators: Arson Cause of Deadly Central Iowa House Fire
Investigators say arson was the cause of a house fire in central Iowa that killed two girls and severely injured their uncle.
May 17, 2017
Investigators: Arson Cause of Deadly Central Iowa House Fire
GUTHRIE CENTER, Iowa (AP) — Investigators say arson was the cause of a house fire in central Iowa that killed two girls and severely injured their uncle.
Law enforcement officials said Wednesday that the girls, who were cousins, have been identified as 16-year-old Shakiah Cockerham and 12-year-old Melanie "Paige" Exline, both of Guthrie Center.
Their uncle, 54 year old William Long III, suffered severe burns to his upper body in the Monday afternoon fire and was flown to an Omaha, Nebraska, hospital, where he remained Wednesday. The girls' 74-year-old grandmother, Shirley Exline, suffered minor injuries.
The Iowa State Fire Marshal's Office found arson to be the fire's cause, and a criminal investigation has begun Guthrie Center is about 50 miles west of Des Moines.
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GUTHRIE CENTER, Iowa —
Authorities are searching for suspects in connection with the deadly arson fire in Guthrie Center.
Shakiah Cockerham, 16, and Paige Exline, 12, died in a house fire Monday at 1005 Main St. in Guthrie Center.
The state fire marshal announced Monday that the fire is considered an arson case.
“So their deaths would be considered homicides,” Iowa DCI Assistant Director Mitch Mortvedt said. “They are being investigated as homicides. Agents are pursuing any and all leads and it's a very active investigation at this point.”
FAMILY DRAMA
Mandy Long, a cousin of the two girls, told KCCI she believes another family member set the fire that killed them and injured their uncle and grandmother.
“(I am) very angry because of who I have in mind that did this,” Long said. “It's just terrible.”
Long said she blames a long history of family drama.
“This family has been torn for a long time and this is a terrible way for the girls to go,” Long said.
SEX ABUSE ALLEGATIONS AND THREATS
The Des Moines Register reports Shirley Exline, grandmother to the girls, told the newspaper Noah Duane Exline, 19, Paige's brother, was charged in April with seven counts of second-degree sex abuse against his sister.
The newspaper reports Paige had lived with her brother and father, James Exline, before March.
Shirley Exline told the newspaper that since gaining guardianship of the girl, she had been threatened by a person associated with the family.
COMMUNITY IN SHOCK
Guthrie Center residents said the arson investigation is another shock for a town that hasn't seen this kind of crime for as long as anyone can remember.
“Whoever did this is still out there somewhere and if they're capable of this, what else are they capable of?” Guthrie Center resident Mike Finnegan said.
Cindy Slaybaugh, who lives next door to the Exlines, said she saw the fire burn Monday morning.
“I don’t know how anyone can do that,” Slaybaugh said. “There is a reason, but I have no idea.”
“It's just a tragedy,” Long said. “The girls are too young for any of this.”
The Iowa DCI urges anyone with information about the arson to call the Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office or the Iowa DCI at 641-747-2214.