Emotional Impact of Fatal Fire Goes Beyond Just the Family

The death of four Lake Ozark area kids in an early morning house fire is having an impact even beyond the grieving family.  Officials at the School of the Osage are providing counselors for any students or staff who feel the need to talk about their emotions.  The firefighters who responded are also receiving emotional support.

 

That’s Lake Ozark Assistant Fire Chief Matt Birdsley.  He spoke at an emotional press conference held Thursday afternoon.  The fire was first reported just before 1am Thursday morning.  The victims – ages 14, 8, 5, and 4 – were home alone when the fire began.  Firefighters said they saw no evidence of working smoke detectors in the home.  They also said damages were so extensive that a cause of the fatal fire will likely be labeled as “undetermined.”

 

As a reminder, if you do not have working smoke detectors, you’re encouraged to contact your local fire protection district.  There are free detectors available.

 

Meanwhile, the Lake Ozark Fire Protection District has issued a correction to the list of victims’ names that was released on Thursday.  The children have been identified as Tyler Otto (14) Cason Otto (8) Max Otto (5) and Levi Otto (4.)  On Thursday Cason was misidentified as “Carson.”