Cause of fire that killed 3-year-old, injured mother in Effingham Co. confirmed

EFFINGHAM COUNTY, Ga. (WTOC) - UPDATE (10/14/2022): The Effingham County Sheriff’s Office confirms the cause of fire was due to the 3-year-old playing with matches.

A 3-year-old boy has died after a Tuesday morning fire, according to the Effingham County Fire Department and county coroner.

The fire happened at a home at the intersection of Charlton and McCall roads. Effingham Fire said they received the 911 call around 9:10 a.m. from a neighbor about the fire.

Effingham Fire says the child’s mother received burn injuries and was flown to a hospital for treatment.

Neighbors said several children escaped the fire while the father was not home when it started.

“I saw the dad I think it was, he came home running home from work and was like freaking out. Then the cops came up to him, and then I saw him crying, I guess when he found out. It was really sad,” neighbor Ivy Sinyare said.

There’s no word yet on what may have caused the fire.

The Countryside Baptist Church says its accepting donations to help the family. They say you can drop off cash, gift cards or clothing at the church on Noel C. Conaway Road in Guyton.

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