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Fire that killed two-year-old started by child playing with lighter

A fire that killed a two-year-old girl was caused by a another child playing with a lighter, according to the Fire Prevention Inspector and Lieutenant with the Grand Rapids Fire Department, William Smith.

A fire that killed a two-year-old girl was caused by another child playing with a lighter, according to Grand Rapids Fire Department Lt. William Smith.

The fire was reported about 7:30 p.m. May 3 on Dale Street NE, west of Plainfield Avenue in the city's Creston Heights neighborhood. Two-year-old Jazelle Thomas-Whitfield died in the fire.

Grand Rapids Fire Chief John Lehman said the little girl was found in a back bedroom on the first floor.

Smith, who investigated the fire, said the child playing with the lighter was not the same child who died. Others in the two-story rental home were able to make it out safely after being alerted by smoke detectors.

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