Boy May Have Sparked Fire by Accident

The Dec. 31 blaze in Val Verde that killed two brothers may have been accidentally started by the younger boy, whom authorities believe was the only one awake when the early morning blaze began, a fire official said Saturday.

Investigators have eliminated other accidental causes and determined that the Christmas tree lights were unplugged at the time of the fire, said Battalion Chief John Harris of the Los Angeles County Fire Department.

Sean Williams, 17, and his half brother Patrick Crawford, 7, were critically burned, and both died of their injuries within days. Another victim, 20-year-old Patricia Lynn Martin, remains hospitalized.

Sheriff’s Sgt. George Ducoulombier said detectives determined that the home was locked at the time the fire started and that only one person was awake, but he would not confirm that it was Patrick.

“There does not seem to be any criminal intent,� Ducoulombier said.