Boy, 4, died from smoke inhalation during house fire Friday in Old South End

10/20/2012

A 4-year-old boy died from smoke inhalation following a house fire in Toledo’s Old South End Friday night, autopsy results confirmed today.

Taevion Maulsby was pronounced dead at Mercy St. Vincent Medical Center where he was taken after a fire in a bedroom of the upstairs apartment of a duplex at 721 Vinton St. near Collingwood Boulevard and the Anthony Wayne Trail.

Dr. Cynthia Beisser, a deputy Lucas County coroner, said preliminary findings indicate the fire might have been started by children playing with matches. Dr. Beisser said she would not rule on the manner of death until an investigation was complete.

In addition to Taevion, a 2-year-old girl who was in the house also was taken to St. Vincent, although fire officials did not release her name.

Taevion reportedly lives on Earl Street but was at his aunt’s house on Vinton Street at the time of the fire, Dr. Beisser said.

Outside the duplex today, a burned-up mattress and box springs were lying in the front yard along with a charred, blackened shoe, children’s toys and clothing. Fire officials released very little information, saying the case was under investigation.

Fire Lt. Matthew Hertzfeld said crews received the call about 7:30 p.m. as a “pediatric unconscious” and upon arrival found the two children and a woman on the front porch. He said firefighters did not know there was a fire until they saw the smoke.

Lieutenant Hertzfeld said he did not know if the woman was injured.

Toledo police were assisting fire investigators on the case, he said, because a death was involved.