Cause Unclear In Fire That Killed 6 Children Adults Were Not Present At Blaze; Victims’ Ages Range From 5 To 10

Investigators spent Tuesday searching for the cause of an early-morning trailer fire Saturday that killed six children.

The mother of one child who died and another who escaped said the actions of 12-year-old Eric Johnson kept the blaze from claiming four more lives. Authorities say, however, no adults were present at the time of the fire.

The children who died Saturday were identified as Ethan James, 5; Jordan James, 7; Lacey Cook, 7; Jessee Morris, 7; Maygen Johnson, 10; and Whitney Denton, 10.

The Idaho Criminal Investigation Bureau said autopsies showed all of the children died from smoke inhalation, said Craig Peterson, special agent in charge of the inquiry.

Lacey Cook and Whitney Denton were the daughters of Bob and Sharra Kavanagh of Idaho Falls and were visiting for a slumber party. Jessee Morris was the daughter of Todd Morris and Debbie Jensen-Morris. Ethan and Jordan James and Maygen Johnson were the children of Cindy Johnson.

Jensen-Morris said Todd Morris and Cindy Johnson were living in the rented trailer, but officials said they were not home when the fire broke out about 3:30 a.m.. Morris had recently moved from Shelley to the rural area of Madison County, about eight miles south of Rexburg.

Eric Johnson, who was sleeping in the living room when the fire began, broke a window and helped three younger children climb out before being forced out by the heat.

Jensen-Morris’ 10-year-old son, Zack Morris, told his mother he was almost overcome by smoke and Eric helped him through the window.

“I thank God he got them out because I couldn’t stand losing two,” Jensen-Morris said. “It’s bad enough losing one, and she was my only daughter.”