Third person dies after ‘suspicious’ CT house fire that killed two adults, infant
Police Chief John Ventura said Friday that “the incident is classified at this time as a suspicious death investigation.”
A third person has died following a fire on Wednesday that killed two adults and an infant, police said.
The Wallingford Police Department on Friday identified all three people who died in the blaze — which police have said is criminal in nature — reported around 6 p.m. at a home located at 25 Geneva Ave. in Wallingford.
They have been identified as 24-year-old Justin Varnado, 19-year-old Karizmah Johnson and 9-month-old Kylenn “Jasir” Varnado. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner said the cause and manner of death for all three killed in the fire are “pending further studies.”
Wallingford Police Chief John Ventura said in a statement Friday that “the incident is classified at this time as a suspicious death investigation.”
“The agency would stress that there is no threat to the public,” Ventura said.
Ventura on Thursday said two people had died in the blaze at the multi-family home and that a third was seriously injured. He also said a number of agencies were investigating, including the Connecticut State Police Central District Major Crime and the New Haven State’s Attorney’s Office, as the incident was considered “criminal in nature.”
Fire crews responded to the home after receiving a 911 call from someone who reported hearing screaming coming from inside of the home. Crews quickly located a man outside who was suffering from serious burns. He was airlifted via LifeStar to an area burn center and was initially in critical condition, police said.
Fire crews who entered the home had to battle heavy smoke conditions and heat. They found two victims in the home, one of whom was pronounced dead at the scene. The other was later pronounced dead at an area hospital.
The investigation has been assigned to the Wallingford Investigative Services Division.
Anyone with information has been asked to call the Wallingford Police Department at 203-294-2845. Information can also be left at the department’s website at police.wallingfordct.gov.