Police: Rescued boy, 3, followed father back into burning home
SHARON – A 3-year-old boy found dead in a Western Pennsylvania house fire was rescued by his father but apparently followed the man when he went back inside to save two other children, police said Tuesday.
An autopsy on the body of Layden Thomas, of Sharon, was set for later Tuesday.
Lt. Mark Johnson said severe storms caused a power outage in parts of Sharon, about 60 miles northwest of Pittsburgh, late Monday. The family lit a candle for light, which apparently fell over and caused the house to burn Monday about 11:20 p.m., Johnson said.
“That’s basically the story we’re getting,” Johnson said. Terry Thomas carried his 3-year-old son outside, “put him on the porch, and went back in for the mother, an infant and a 5-year-old.”
Police believed the boy followed his father back into the house, because there’s no other way the boy could have wound up back inside without being seen, Johnson said.
Terry Thomas, two other children, and their mother eventually escaped the fire, Johnson said.
A state police fire marshal was continuing to investigate, but Johnson said the candle was believed to be the cause of the fire.
The boy appeared to have some heat burns, but none from direct contact with fire, leading investigators to believe he died of smoke inhalation before his body was found, Johnson said.