No working smoke detectors in Norwalk fire

NORWALK — There were no working smoke detectors in the house when an 8-year-old boy died in a fire in Norwalk on Wednesday, June 7. That was the conclusion of the State Fire Marshal's office, according to Andy Ellinger, public information officer for the Ohio Department of Commerce's State Fire Marshal's office. "It did not have working smoke detectors," Ellinger said. "The cause of this fire is still being investigated." The fire, at 117 East Main St., resulted in the loss of life of 8-year-old Wyatt Duchette and injuries to his 12-year-old step brother, Paxton. A woman who identified herself as the boys' mother posted on Facebook that she was "destroyed" over the death of her son. "I have not been able to put into words how deeply destroyed we are over this tragedy. It is still undetermined as to how the fire started," the woman wrote. "But Wednesday afternoon was the worst and will forever be the worst day of my life. I miss him every second of every minute of every hour. He was my 'WyWy'. I will forever miss that boy and the pain is unbearable." She also said Paxon was doing good. "Paxton is doing soooo good," she wrote on her post, dated June 10. "He has been off the ventilator and awake since yesterday morning. He is (a) miracle and will be coming home in a couple days. That boy is strong. Stronger than I've ever known." The National Fire Protection Association urges everyone to have working smoke detectors. "Smoke alarms are a key part of a home fire escape plan. When there is a fire, smoke spreads fast. Working smoke alarms give you early warning so you can get outside quickly," the organization states on its website. Meanwhile, Ellinger also provided an update into a June 3 fire at 41 E. Main St. Greenwich, that took the life of 8-year-old Linda Garay. He said there were smoke detectors present in that house at the time of the fire. "In Greenwich, there were smoke detectors present, but can't confirm if they were functional," Ellinger said. "Cause is undetermined with several accidental causes being considered." The National Fire Protection Association also urges everyone to have an escape plan in case of fire. The association urges the following fire safety tips: Your ability to get out of your house during a fire depends on advance warning from smoke alarms and advance planning. Get everyone in your household together and make a home escape plan Walk through your home and look for two ways out of every room Make sure escape routes are clear of debris and doors and windows open easily. Windows with security bars or grills should have an emergency release device Plan an outside meeting place where everyone will meet once they have escaped. A good meeting place is something permanent, like a tree, light pole, or mailbox a safe distance in front of the home If there are infants, older adults, family members with mobility limitations or children who do not wake to the sound of the smoke alarm, make sure that someone is assigned to assist them in the event of an emergency If the smoke alarm sounds, get outside and stay outside. Respond quickly — get up and go, remember to know two ways out of every room, get yourself outside quickly, and go to your outside meeting place with your family.