ONSLOW COUNTY, NC (WECT/WITN) – Investigators believe a fire that killed three children and put five others and their mother in the hospital Thursday in Onslow County was possibly caused by an electrical short in the kitchen area of the home.
According to Sheriff Ed Brown, Tabitha Pittman, 12, Elijah Pittman, 8, and Gabriel Pittman, 6, were on the first floor of the home. It is possible the oldest child was trying to help the other two get out.
According to authorities with the Onslow County Sheriff's Office, deputies were dispatched to a fire in the 2100 block of Wilmington Highway Thursday morning around 5 a.m.
When deputies and fire crews arrived, the house was completely engulfed in flames, and they were met by the home's injured residents who had escaped.
Deputies and firemen attempted to enter the home to rescue the remaining family members, but were unable to due to extreme smoke and flames.
As soon as possible, firemen went inside the home and discovered the victims who were killed in the fire in the house's living room.
Authorities say the home belonged to Samuel and Johnetta Pittman.
According to WITN, Johnetta and her five other children were injured in the fire. She and her daughter Hannah, 10, were taken to the Jaycee Burn Center in Chapel Hill. The other children injured are Samantha, 16, 15-year-old twins Adrianne and Gabrielle, and Johnathan, 4.
According to officials at New Hanover Regional Medical Center, Samantha, Adrianne and Gabrielle were all in good condition Thursday evening. Johnetta, Hannah, and Johnathan's conditions are unknown at this time.
Authorities told WITN the twins suffered impact injuries after they jumped from a second floor window.
WITN is reporting that Samuel Pittman was working overnight and not at home when the fire started.
When fire crews arrived to the scene, flames and smoke were shooting from the home. It took officials about 45 minutes to contain the fire.
It is unclear what caused the fire at this time. Officials told WITN they are still trying to make sure the house is safe enough for investigators to begin their probe.
According to the media outlet, this is not the first time Pittman lost their home in a fire. A friend of the family said their house in Richlands caught fire eight years ago.
I wanted to give you a quick update on how the Red Cross is assisting the Pittman family from the Onslow County fire this morning. Because of the magnitude of this event, we have several chapters and regions involved in the response.
According to officials, the American Red Cross has stepped in and is providing temporary housing, food and clothing to the family.
"Although we are unable to release specifics due to confidentially laws, Red Cross volunteers and mental health professionals will continue to assist the families through the coming days as requested," said officials in a statement.
Anyone who wishes to help the Pittman family during this time can contact Walter Scott with the Onslow County Sheriff's Office at 910-989-4008 or 910-389-4685.
Gloria Joles, the Sheriff's Administrative Secretary, is also helping and can be reached at the Onslow County Sheriff's Office at 910-989-4001.
Receipts for all donations will be given at the time a donation is received.
For those who wish to donate clothing to the Pittman family, the following is a list of clothing sizes:
Men
• Size 31 x 32 pants
• Size medium shirts
Women
• Size 12, 14 pants - teenagers
• Size 3,5,7 pants – teenagers
• Size 16 pants – mother
• Size XL tops – mother/teenagers
• Size small tops – teenager
Girls
• Size 10/12 pants
• Size 10/12 tops
Boys
• Size 4/5 pants
• Size 4/5 shirts
Copyright 2012 WECT. All rights reserved. WITN contributed to this report.
Tabitha Pittman, Elijah Pittman, and Gabriel Pittman died in the fire. (Source: WITN)
House fire in Onslow County claims the life of three children. (Source: WITN)
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