Chief: Three Kids Dead in Macon House Fire, Mother Not at Home When Fire Crews Arrived

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Macon-Bibb Fire Chief Marvin Riggins said the mother was not at home, when a blaze swept through her Macon home Sunday morning killing her three children and leaving one critically injured.

According to Riggins, fire crews were dispatched to a house on James Street around 1:40 a.m. and the children’s mother arrived on the scene after the first fire truck arrived. The blaze started in a bedroom, the children were found in the master bedroom. Both the Macon Police Department and Macon-Bibb Fire investigators are working the case. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Bibb County Coroner Leon Jones is awaiting an autopsy for the three children. 10-year-old Nykhia Williams, 7-year-old Daija Williams and 9-year-old Jamarrian Williams all died in the blaze. 3-year-old J’lon Williams was transported to the Burn Center in Augusta and remains in critical condition.

41NBC was on the scene when the children’s mother, Colethia Williams, gathered items from inside the home. She declined to comment on camera but, is asking people to “keep her family in their prayers”. Children in the neighborhood have started a memorial of stuffed animals, balloons and dolls outside of the home. The three deceased children attended Joseph B. Riley Elementary, and the youngest, J’lon Williams, went to Carter Head Start Bellevue. Bibb County Board member Tom Hudson said officials are preparing to talk with the kid’s classmates about the tragedy on Monday.

“There will be grief counseling for the young people at the school,” Hudson said, “we have a case manager working this case.”

The children’s mother has been interviewed by investigators. Community members have planned a candle light vigil at the home for the children and the family. The vigil will be held Wednesday at 7 p.m.