The motor home fire that killed a young girl near Kalispell last week has investigators with only witness accounts to piece together what happened.
It burned so hot and fast that evidence of the fire’s source couldn’t be found. The body of 8-year-old Autumn Hawk was found just outside the trailer. Officials say she died of smoke inhalation and burns.
Flathead County Sheriff Chuck Curry.
“Anytime we have a fire where the scene doesn’t reveal to us exactly what happened, we of course have to go back on witness statements. And there was nothing found in the scene investigation that refutes the witnesses stories or statements.”
Witnesses have reported hearing an explosion at the time of the fire.
Hawks parents escaped with burns.
The mother of the girl said she was cooking over the stove when the fire started.
The case is still open, however.
“At this point it's just a matter of getting things wrapped up and making sure there isn’t further information that might be able to obtain to forward to prosecutors,” says Curry.
A group of neighbors plan to meet with Flathead County Prosecutors on Tuesday to express concern about possible drug dealing and child neglect that wasn’t investigated.
