Fire That Killed 4 Children Blamed on Marijuana Cigarette
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OAKLAND — An apartment fire that killed four children apparently was caused by the mother’s smoldering marijuana cigarette, police said.
Rena Raybon, 35, told police that she passed out in the apartment after a night of drinking wine and smoking marijuana, the Oakland Tribune reported Sunday. No charges had been filed.
“There was no criminal intent or motive to harm the kids that I can see,” Police Sgt. Paul Berlin said.
The fire early Saturday killed children ages 8 months to 15 years. A fifth child, 3-year-old Tony, was in “extremely critical” condition Sunday at an Oakland hospital.
Raybon fled the apartment after awakening to flames, then returned to try to rescue the children, police said. She watched as the eldest child stood inside near the bedroom window, yelling for help.
Fire Capt. Don Parker said attempts to rescue the children were hindered by wrought-iron security bars that had no safety release mechanism.
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