House Fire Claims the Lives of Two

A fire rips through one Muskingum County home and with it takes the lives of two adults. Family members identify the victims as 19- year-old D.J. Collins and his grandfather 83-year-old Eugene Kelly.

"Words can’t explain how I feel for the people."

Neighbor Steve Medley is shocked. Around 8 AM, the New Concord and Perry Township Fire departments were dispatched to 2055 Arch Hill road with reports of a house fire with people trapped inside.

"I wasn’t there at the time when it happened. I don’t know exactly who it was or anything but it’s a tragedy any time this time of the year, " says Medley.

New Concord Fire Chief Brent Gates says a total of 6 people were inside the house when the fire broke out including 2 children, a 19 year old grandson, a mother, grandmother and an 83 year old grandfather. Four of the six people managed to escape the burning home, but for the other two, they were not so lucky.

Fire fighters say a true act of heroism occured this morning.

"He went back in. After he got the mother to the two children out and the grandmother out, he actually crawled in looking for his grandfather," says Gates.

It was then the blaze took the grandson’s life trying to save his own grandfather who also passed away, deeming him a true hero. As for the 4 who survived, according to Gates, the two children and mother were transported to Genesis Good Samaritan Hospital and were later released. The grandmother refused treatment. As for support, several area agencies are assisting the family during this tragic time.

"A lot of good support from the Red Cross, our local agency six counties is down there supporting the family," says Gates.

"When you have a tragedy, it’s really bad, it’s just rough on everybody," says Medley.

The State Fire Marshals office as well as the Sheriff’s office continue to investigate the damage which has been pronounced a total loss. The cause of the fire is still unknown at this time. A fund has been set up at any Century National Bank branch to help with assisting the family. WHIZ has learned the family had no homeowner’s insurance or life insurance.

Investigators are still trying to determine the cause of the fire.