Woman, 2 children perish in Brazil fire

BRAZIL -- The city’s fire chief says investigation continues into what caused the fire at a Mechanic Street home that left three dead, including two children.

The three — 18-year-old Raven Elizabeth Rose (Stewart) Tedder, her daughter 4-month-old Zoiey Alaweigh Jane Tedder and her brother 4-year-old Shyloi Leeland Dale Stewart — were all pronounced dead at St. Vincent Clay Hospital in Brazil. Results from Tuesday’s autopsies performed by pathologist Dr. Roland Kohr show all three died of carbon monoxide intoxication/poisoning; the mother’s results remain preliminary, all according to acting Clay County Coroner Tyler Tutterow.

A 6-year-old male was also transported by ambulance to Union Hospital for non-life threatening respiratory injuries.

The Brazil Fire Department responded to the report of a fully engulfed two-story brick home at 8:34 p.m. Monday at 721 E. Mechanic St.

Chief Jake Bennett said the first engine arrived to find flames blowing through windows of both stories. He also said Tuesday there was heavy fire from floor to ceiling on both stories through much of the structure, along with heavy black smoke pouring through windows in the upper rear portion of the home.

“Firefighters found multiple occupants who had escaped the fire in the yard and on the sidewalk, while others were helped out of the house,” he said. “There were reportedly 11 people in the two-story house at the time of the fire.”

Bennett said “first-arriving firefighters rapidly performed a search in the area where occupants were thought to be in.” Those missing were unable to be located, he said, adding after two attempts, firefighters were forced back out by fire and intense heat.

“Other firefighters were working to treat patients that had already escaped the fire,” Bennett continued. “Firefighters reached the victims in the upper portion of the rear of the building and found the three occupants that did not escape initially.”

“The size of the fire and the extent of its spread prior to arrival created significant challenges for firefighters,” continued Bennett, adding firefighters were on scene until 1:25 a.m.

The American Red Cross was contacted to assist the family with shelter. The Clay County Humane Shelter was contacted to take care of dogs that were rescued from the home.

The Indiana State Fire Marshal’s Office, Brazil Police Department and the Brazil Fire Department began an investigation into the cause of the fire Monday night, and it continues to be under investigation.

CARE Ambulance, Putnam Operation Life, Brazil Police, Clay County Sheriff’s Department, Indiana Department of Homeland Security, Indiana State Fire Marshal’s Office all responded to the scene.

For information on how to support the fire victims, contact Tom Tedder at 812-249-7604 or Penny Moore at 812-531-0783.