Two children killed in a Monday apartment fire died of “inhalation of smoke and toxic products combustion,” according to the Hamilton County Medical Examiner’s Office.
Seven-month-old Olivia Bennett and 3-year-old Michael White died Monday afternoon in a fire at their 6215 Bonny Oaks Drive home.
The medical examiner’s office is awaiting further toxicology results to finish the autopsy report but noted there were no signs of foul play such as trauma to the children’s bodies.
Neighbors called 911 to report the fire at 2:40 p.m. The children’s mother Alfredda Bennett told police she’d stepped away from the home for a few minutes to speak with a neighbor.
Olivia was pronounced dead at the scene, Michael was pronounced dead at T.C. Thompson Children’s Hospital, according to authorities.
The children’s 9-year-old brother, who is reportedly autistic, was watching the children and alerted bystanders to the fire, according to police.