A tragic house fire on October 5th in Wakeman claimed the lives of Cynthia Jackson and her daughter, Zoey Senghas. Now, newly released reports from the State Fire Marshal’s Office and an independent consulting firm provide further details on the incident.
Nicholas Senghas, Zoey’s father, has been vocal about his belief that the Wakeman Fire Department mishandled the response to the fire.
“I was kind of screaming at the firefighters because of the 30 firefighters that were there, probably at least 15 were just standing in the front yard,” Senghas said in a previous interview.
The State Fire Marshal’s report includes images from inside the home, showing extensive damage, particularly in the kitchen, which investigators identified as the possible point of origin for the fire.
However, a separate report from Bensen Fire and Safety Consulting contradicts this, suggesting the fire actually started outside the home. The report states that the flames then spread to the attic before reaching the main living area.
Bensen’s findings also confirm that the house had working smoke detectors, which alerted 7-year-old Brady Senghas to the danger.
Despite the new information, the exact cause of the fire remains undetermined. The Bensen report suggests possible causes could include an electrical failure, spontaneous combustion of yard waste, or arson.
With the case now closed, the medical examiner’s office has finalized its report.
Nicholas Senghas has vowed to continue seeking justice for his family.
“She was the happiest child on the planet. Never didn’t have a smile on her face,” he said, remembering his daughter.
Ohio Times will provide updates as more information becomes available.
