By Holly Zachariah
The Columbus Dispatch
WASHINGTON C.H., Ohio — A woman and three grandchildren who were staying with her for Christmas died early this morning in a fire in Fayette County.
Sheriff Vernon Stanforth identified the victims as Terry Harris, 60, and grandsons, Kenyon, 14, Broderick, 11 and Braylon, 9.
All four bodies were recovered this morning.
Stanforth said he believes they were trying to get out of the house. Mrs. Harris’ body was found near front door and the children were behind her.
“The smoke had to be so intense that it would have overcome them all every quickly,” he said.
The fire in the small, ranch-style house was so intense it apparently blew out the windows. " That’s why we saw such a fire ball and it went so quickly.”
The call came in at 4:11 a.m. after a neighbor saw flames, Stanforth said. By the time responders arrived four minutes later, the building was fully ablaze and had partially collapsed, he said.
The house is in the 5000 block of Inskeep Road, northwest of Washington Court House, which is about 40 miles southwest of Columbus. Because of the heavy damage, it was not immediately apparent whether the house had smoke detectors.
The boys’ parents, Ricky and Traci Harris, live two doors down. The children were staying at their grandmother’s house so she would not be alone on Christmas night, Stanforth said.
The family has gathered at the house.
The boys’ maternal grandmother, Ronda Schiltz, lives nearby and said she came as soon as she heard there was a fire. “I walked the (adjacent) fields, hoping the babies got out,” she said.
Mrs. Shiltz said the boys celebrated Christmas with her earlier in the day and then when to spend the night with Mrs. Harris.
She described Kenyon and Broderick as excellent athletes. “Their rooms are clear full of trophies and their friends are going to be devastated,” she said.
“This family is just lost,” Stanforth said. “We’re not talking about material things, we’re talking about three babies.”
The boys all attended Washington City Schools and were very involved in school activities, the sheriff said. Stanforth said he has known the family for years, having taught both of their parents the schools D.A.R.E program when they were students.
“This is a very close-knit family in a close-knit community and it will impact the whole community,” he said.
The school district will have counselors available for students and parents from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. today at Liberty Hall at the high school.
A fund to help the family has been established. Contributions can be mailed to Security National Bank, 2. S. Main St., Jeffersonville, 43128, or dropped off at any Security National Bank branch.
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