The Mother's Day fire that left four children and two adults dead in Pottsville has been ruled accidental.
"It's an accidental fire. Nothing to indicate otherwise," Pottsville fire Chief Todd March said Wednesday.
The fire May 12 at 235 Pierce St. claimed the lives of Joy Brown, 8, Jeremiah Brown, 7, Emily Brown, 3, and Elijah Brown, 2, along with their father, Eric Brown, 31, and aunt, Kristina Thomas, 23.
Kelly Brown, the mother of the children, was across the street doing laundry at a neighbor's house when the fire broke out. She now lives in Washington state.
March said the investigation was "extensive" and was conducted by the Pottsville Fire Department, city police and state police.
"We've been working on it for a while off and on," he said about the investigation.
"The results of the investigation indicate that this was an accidental fire that originated in the second-floor kitchen area of the home," according to a press release Wednesday from March. "From the physical evidence and lab results, there is absolutely nothing to indicate that any intentional acts contributed to this tragedy, but as always the investigation could be reopened pending any future information and/or evidence that may become available. The fire started in the kitchen and spread up the stairs to the third floor, where all six victims were found. The second and third floors and the roof of the home were heavily damaged by the fire."
March said it looks as if the fire started on the kitchen floor toward the east side of the house, adding that there was no problem with the wood stove or chimney that would have caused the fire.
Schuylkill County Coroner Dr. David J. Moylan said all six victims died of carbon monoxide poisoning and smoke inhalation. A dog also died in the fire.
Moylan also said Eric Brown tested positive for amphetamine, methamphetamine and THC, a substance found in marijuana in his system.
The home did not have working smoke detectors at the time of the fire.
"That could have made a difference," March said.
A city codes official had recommended smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors for the home in mid-December 2012.
The Pottsville Fire Department has given out smoke detectors to those who need them to try to prevent this type of tragedy. Kidde Fire Safety, a North Carolina firm, donated the smoke detectors. A public safety night was also held last month at the Martz Hall lower level parking lot and smoke detectors were given out there.
Anyone who needs a smoke detector can call City Hall at 570-622-1234 and ask for March or call any city fire company.
"We want to make sure everybody has at least one," March said.
The loss of life in the fire is the worst in Pottsville's history, March said, adding he has been chief for 37 years. Before the fire May 12, 16 people had lost their lives to fire in the city, and no more than two at one time.
"It's the worst fire I've seen," he said.