Fire officials in Council Bluffs say a recreational vehicle fire last week that took the life of an eight-year old was an accident, but the cause may never be known. Fire Marshal Larry Wohlers says an extensive investigation into the fire did not reveal a specific cause, but that is has been listed as “accidental.”
Eight-year old Makala Prudhome died during the fire, which occurred in an r-v located in the parking lot of a repair and storage facility. The nearly 40-foot motor home was fully engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived. Wohlers says multiple and extensive tests were performed on possible sources of ignition, but due to the extensive damage to the motor home, investigators were unable to eliminate all possible sources of ignition.
The girl’s stepfather, who owns the business and the lot where the vehicle was parked, tried to get inside the vehicle when the fire was discovered at around 5:45-p.m. January 18th, but the smoke was too thick.
The man grabbed a garden hose and tried to fight the fire while the mother called 9-1-1. The mother and stepfather told investigators that the RV was a place the girl could hang out, read and watch TV.
By Ric Hanson, KJAN Atlantic