A 19-year-old college athlete died early yesterday morning (Sun., Nov. 21) from injuries suffered in a house fire just after 3:15 a.m. in the 1900 block of Switzer in Jennings. Four others were also injured.
According to KMOV.com, when firefighters arrived at the scene, three adults, ages 80, 46 and 41, already jumped out of a second story window. Those adults were taken to Barnes Jewish Hospital. They are all listed in fair condition.
Two other people were still trapped inside.
Firefighters say they were able to rescue a 6-year-old Deven Williams who was taken to Children’s Hospital and then flown to a hospital in Cincinnati. He is critical condition and is being treated for severe burns that cover 60 percent of his body.
The 19-year-old victim, Tihra Devres, was found in a back bedroom upstairs. She did not survive. Devres was a sophomore at Harris-Stowe State University, a setter on the volleyball team.
The Jennings Fire Department says it suspects a space heater caused the fire. Officials say there was a smoke detector in the basement, but not one on the first floor where the fire started.
Information from KMOV.com contributed to this report.