WASHINGTON, Feb 29, (Agencies): The Bullhead City Police Department has stated that there is no evidence of a criminal offense associated with the tragic fire that claimed the lives of five children in Arizona in December 2023.

The victims, John Jones III (13), Henry Lewis (11), Zane Jones (5), Freya Jones (4), and Elias Jones (2), lost their lives in a second-floor bedroom of a two-story duplex in Bullhead, Arizona, on December 16, 2023. The fire occurred while the father of John, Zane, Freya, and Elias was away from home.

The Bullhead City Police Department, in a press release, mentioned that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms (ATF) fire investigators found no evidence of accelerants in the collected fire debris samples, and there is no suspicion of arson. The case is awaiting final reports from the ATF and Lake Havasu City Fire Department, with the exact cause remaining undetermined.

The father is not under investigation for any criminal involvement in the incident, as he was reportedly out shopping for Christmas gifts for approximately two and a half hours during the fire.

On December 19, the BCPD disclosed that the fire originated in the downstairs foyer area and ascended the only staircase in the home, preventing the victims from escaping. Four victims were siblings, and the fifth, Henry Lewis, was a relative visiting at the time.

Despite efforts from neighbors to rescue the children during the incident, the fire's rapid spread hindered their attempts. Patrick O’Neal, a neighbor, described the challenging situation, stating, “We pulled the garage door open, there was guys pulling stuff out… The closer we got to the door there was smoke starting to come into the garage and choking people out.”

The fire department managed to extinguish the main body of the fire within minutes of their arrival, but the devastating outcome had already occurred.

In response to the tragedy, over $22,200 has been raised via GoFundMe to support the grieving families who lost their children. Additionally, The River Fund Inc. initiated The Anna Circle Fire Fund, accepting donations from businesses and residents to aid those affected by the heartbreaking incident.