Two adults, two children die in West Parrish blaze [Messenger-Inquirer, Owensboro, Ky.]

Aug. 28--View video from the fire by clicking here or watch it in the embedded player below.

Four members of an Owensboro family -- including two children -- were killed Friday morning when a fire gutted their West Parrish Avenue home.

Wendy Devine, 35, her two children, Ryan Devine, 2, and Jerry Devine, 3, and Wendy Devine's father, Jerry Marsh, whose age wasn't immediately available, were killed when a fire broke out at their home at 2204 W. Parrish Ave.

Daviess County Coroner Bob Howe said the preliminary cause of death is smoke inhalation.

Firefighters were called to the home at 8:56 a.m. The house is between Lic's restaurant and Lowe Realty Service on West Parrish Avenue.

Wendy Devine is married to Ryan E. Devine. Two of Ryan E. Devine's brothers are members of the Owensboro Fire Department. Ryan E. Devine was not at the residence when the fire broke out.

Greg Devine, who is also one of Ryan E. Devine's brothers, said he and his father were driving on Bosley Road, not far from the home, when they saw smoke.

"We started trying to kick in the doors and break the windows," Greg Devine said. "I called 911 as soon as possible.

"They were good," Greg Devine said of the family. "They kept to themselves. It's just an unfortunate thing that has happened. Words can't describe how we're all feeling. We're stunned."

Owensboro Fire Department Battalion Chief Steve Leonard said the fire began in a living area in the back of the house. "It appears from the initial investigation the fire had been burning for a period of time," Leonard said.

Smoke from the fire was visible along West Parrish Avenue, and flames shot from the windows. Firefighters entered the house and located Jerry Devine, who was rushed to an ambulance. He was later pronounced dead at Owensboro Medical Health System.

The rest of the family was found in the home. Wendy Devine was found near the back door, Marsh was found near a bedroom and Ryan Devine was found in a baby swing in a front living room, Leonard said.

"The most hazardous gas (in smoke) is carbon monoxide," Leonard said. "It will render you unconscious very quickly ... 99 percent of the time, it's the smoke that causes the victim to succumb."

The cause of the fire has not yet been determined, but the point of origin appears to have been a large chair near the rear door. The fire may have been smoking material related, Leonard said.

"We have the room of origin," Leonard said. "The thing you have to do is find the ignition source."

The fire marshal's office and the Owensboro Police Department are also involved in the investigation.

"That's normal," Leonard said of OPD's involvement. "Our procedure in Owensboro, under law, (is) any time there's a death of any type (in a fire), the initial investigative response is from the police department."

The last time a person was killed in a fire in Daviess County was in December 2008, when William "Bill" Brown, 63, died after a fire swept through his home in rural eastern Daviess County.

James Mayse, 691-7303, [email protected]

To Help

The Devine Family Memorial Fund has been set up at US Bank locations in Owensboro to collect money to benefit the family of Wendy Devine, her sons Ryan and Jerry, and her father, Jerry Marsh, all of whom died in a fire Friday.

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