By Edward Harris / eharris@uticaod.com
Posted Jul 31, 2018 at 6:21 PM Updated Jul 31, 2018 at 6:21 PM
ROME — A fatal mobile home fire that killed three children in late July was ruled accidental Tuesday evening, according to state police.
Temprince J. Croad, 2, Patrick G. Croad III, 3, and Eliesse A. Croad, 4, were found dead inside the 154 Pine Haven Circle residence after the July 23 fire, officials said. Parents Gabrielle M. Croad, 24, and Patrick G. Croad, 25, were taken to SUNY Upstate Medical Center with second-degree burns.
One-year-old Kaydence J. Croad also was taken to SUNY Upstate with burns to both arms. Officials said she and her parents are expected to recover.
“We have determined the cause of the fire to be accidental and not criminal,” State Police Troop D Public Information Officer Trooper Jack Keller said via text message.
Keller further stated that authorities are working with fire investigators on the exact cause and origin of the fire.
It is believed that the fire may have been started by an electrical appliance in the laundry room, Keller said.
At about 11:48 p.m. on Monday, July 23, Oneida County 911 received a call of a structure fire at the mobile home. When officials and fire personnel arrived, they observed heavy fire conditions and learned that six people lived inside the residence.
Gabrielle and Patrick Croad were able to escape out the rear door with 1-year-old Kaydence. Patrick Croad tried getting back inside the front of the structure to get the rest of the children but was driven back by the flames, officials said.
Despite the lack of fire hydrants in the heavily wooded neighborhood, the “fully engulfed” fire was knocked down within 10 minutes, officials said
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Police say fatal Rome fire was accidental; collection being held in Vernon Center
New York State Police say the fire that killed three children in Rome last week has been ruled accidental rather than criminal, but the cause is still unknown.
Updated: July 31, 2018
Posted By: WKTV
ROME – New York State Police say the fire that killed three children in Rome last week has been ruled accidental rather than criminal, but the cause is still unknown.
Police say the fire may have started from an electrical appliance in the laundry room, but they're still working with fire investigators to determine the exact cause and origin. Investigators were back at the scene of the fire on Tuesday to continue their investigation.
Temprince Croad (left), Patrick Croad III (center), and Eliesse Croad (right) Two-year-old Temprince Croad, three-year-old Patrick Croad III, and four-year-old Eliesse Croad were killed in the fire at 154 Pine Haven Circle in the outer district of Rome on July 24. The children’s parents, 24-year-old Gabrielle Croad and 25-year-old Patrick Croad, and their sister, one-year-old Kaydence Croad, survived the fire.
Witnesses and survivors of the fire say the flames started in the center of the mobile home, separating the parents from their children. The parents got out of the mobile home and tried going back inside from another way to get their children, but they were burned in the process.
A new community center is set to open in Vernon Center, and organizers with the center say their first order of business is to help the Croad family. The community center will open in the old Presbyterian Church, and a tour of the center will be held at 9 a.m. on Saturday.
The woman behind the effort says she lost three children in a fire 15 years ago.
“There will be a donation box, much like a wedding box for cards, and we will have sympathy cards free and pens and a table for folks to sit down and fill out a card,” said Sharon Leavitt. “If they want to put money in that card, they can for the family. If they would just like to send their best wishes and prayers in a card, they can do that.”
Calling hours for the three children will be held 4-7 p.m. Wednesday at Nunn and Harper Funeral Home, located at 418 N. George St. in Rome. A memorial service will follow.