LOGAN — Officials have released additional details about a building fire Saturday morning that killed a Logan woman. Investigators have determined the blaze was accidental.
Logan City Fire Assistant Chief Craig Humphreys said the victim has been identified as 40-year-old Terilynn Roskelley. Her body was discovered by firefighters inside one of the rooms of the building near 817 West 1000 South.
Emergency crews received a report of the fire by a 911 caller at 7:43 a.m. While en route, the complainant said that one of the five occupants was missing.
The first crews were on the scene within five minutes and reported smoke and flames coming from the room where Roskelley was located. Firefighters made an aggressive search to rescue the woman, and an quick fire attack. During that process they located her deceased.
The fire appears to have started in the room where Roskelley was found. It was a small apartment type room that had a kitchenette.
Humphreys said after conducting an investigation, the cause of the fire has been determined as combustible materials in contact with a natural-gas, wall-mounted heater.
“In this particular case,” explained Humphreys, “I think the fire started off slow, with a lot of smoke and carbon-monoxide. We always recommend for any heat producing source that someone might have in their home, whether that be a natural gas heater, portable heater or wood burning stove, it’s a good idea to keep at least a three feet distance from combustible materials, or following the manufacture’s specifications.”
Firefighters did not locate any working smoke or carbon-monoxide detectors inside the room.
There were four other occupants of the building at the time of the blaze. They were all able to safely evacuate without any injuries.
Humphreys said the hearts of the Logan City Fire Department goes out to all those impacted by this tragedy. He offered their condolences to the family and wish them the best as they work through this process.
Family members shared on social media their love for Terilynn, expressing their sorrow for the Logan woman’s children losing their mother. Memorial services are still being arranged.