The fire, ruled accidental, was caused by a space heater placed too close to bedding, according to Cincinnati Fire Investigation Unit Capt. Dan Rottmueller. The fire occurred shortly before 7 a.m. on Jan. 1 at 2824 Digby Ave., a rental property located in University Heights.
Tipp City School Board member Kate Johnsen said that her daughter Becca graduated with Garner and was in her hospital room on Wednesday.
Johnsen, who said she once administered an aerobic ministry program with Garner’s mother, described Garner as “a very talented woman,” “very vivacious” and “a great kid.”
Garner majors in design. Johnsen said Garner was into costuming when she was in high school, making costumes for many of the school plays and musicals.
Garner had just finished an internship in New York City last year, where she worked at Garan Inc., as a design intern for the infant/toddler girls Garanimals division, according to her linkedin profile.
Efforts to reach people who know Kohls were unsuccessful.
On Thursday, a Facebook page was created titled “Pray for Chad.” One update noted that his mother had said that Kohls had been in stable condition through the night
“No complications,” the update said. “His eyes opened a bit but is still sedated. His friend is not doing well, with seizures. Please pray for both. It is a critical time period.”
Johnsen said that Garner suffered no burns, but smoke inhalation, and was suffering brain seizures. Another facebook update stated Garner was in a medically induced coma.
The fire started in a second-room bedroom, and there was at least one person asleep in that room at the time the fire started. But Kohls and Garner were rescued from the third floor of the three-story house. Others inside managed to get out before firefighters arrived.
At least one other victim was taken to a hospital and treated and released.
There were 10 people in the house at the time of the blaze, and all were believed to have been asleep when the fire occurred, Rottmueller said. Some of the people inside the house were residents and some were friends of the residents.
The fire was contained to one room. The estimated damage cost is approximately $20,000.
Pray for Ellen Facebook Page http://www.facebook.com/events/458494964198803/?ref=22
Pray for Chad Facebook Page http://www.facebook.com/Prayforchad
About the Author