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Second UC Student Dies After New Year's Day Fire

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Published: 1/11 8:38 am

Updated: 1/14 1:40 pm

CINCINNATI - The second University of Cincinnati student injured in a New Year's Day fire near campus died this morning. A Facebook page set up for 20 year old Ellen Garner says she died today as a result of her injuries.

Garner and another student, 21 year old Chad Kohls, had to be rescued from the third floor of the off-campus home on Digby Avenue in University Heights on January 1st. Fire investigators said the fire started when a blanket got too close to a space heater.

Kohls died last Monday at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center and was laid to rest three days ago.

Funeral services for Garner will reportedly take place this coming Friday in Tipp City.

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The views expressed here do not necessarily represent those of WKRC-TV :: Cincinnati Weather and Forecasts, Cincinnati News, Breaking News, and Sports for the Cincinnati area, Ohio, northern Kentucky, Indiana, and the tristate area

Gunney - 1/14/2013 4:53 PM

1 Vote

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Once again, the comment that I had posted several days ago regarding the passing of Chad Kohls, is still among these...Needless to say, I offer my most sincere condolences and prayers for Ellen's family and friends...Tragic losses for all....

W Trent - 1/14/2013 3:41 PM

5 Votes

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Prayers to her family. May she rest in peace. What a tragic end to 2 young lives who had bright futures. Blessings on all those who knew her!

Ammys2Cuties - 1/14/2013 3:18 PM

0 Votes

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steve9306 - 12:11 PM - sorry - no link and it was 5, 9 and/or 12

hermom - 1/14/2013 3:14 PM

1 Vote

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Having two kids in college, and one of them at UC, this breaks my heart. I will keep both families in my prayers. Such beautiful children taken way to young.

deanw - 1/14/2013 2:04 PM

0 Votes

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Beautiful, smart, children. I don't know how parents and families get through this. I wish I could take their pain.

hikingdude - 1/14/2013 1:06 PM

1 Vote

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Dav- Cincinnati housing code states " The owner or operator of a dwelling must provide heating facilities capable of safely heating rooms to a temperature of 70° F." with the main focus of being "capable" not maintaining 70 degrees at all times. But, since the story is lacking in most of the facts(other sites as well report 7 people living there) its not up to the peanut gallery to offer anything but assumptions. If a criminal act has occurred I am sure an investigation will be announced eventually. We don't even know if everyone present was on the lease.

davmoses - 1/14/2013 12:40 PM

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The newer space heaters I see advertised look much safer than some of the older style heaters, so maybe the landlord should have provided those. It really has not been very cold so far this winter, so if they needed a space heater the building must not have been properly heated (unless they were just trying to save a few bucks). Such a tragedy that should not have happened...

steve9306 - 1/14/2013 12:11 PM

1 Vote

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Ammys2Cuties, please provide a link to the claims you have made. Other media reports I have read state the smoke detecors were working. http://www.fox19.com/story/20526587/chad-kohls-21-dies-from-injuries-in-university-hts-house-fire.

Ammys2Cuties - 1/14/2013 11:18 AM

1 Vote

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Aww man....this is just terrible - my condolences to this young gals loved ones as well :( CornDog - 10:46 AM - No smoke detectors - the property was occupied by 6 adults and 5 is the limit on the occupancy for such a bldg that would also be required to include a fire escape on the 2nd floor...according to the news reports in any case...and if I were a landlord renting to college age kids, I would certainly be sure to be up to code and checking on the occupancy & condition of my rental property often...cuz, they are, you know, college kids...

CornDog - 1/14/2013 10:46 AM

10 Votes

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@Ammys2cuties, I typically don't disagree with you and I certainly don't want to come across as uncaring with respect to this tragic story but how is the landlord responsible for the careless use of a space heater? What "specific codes and laws were apparently violated" in which some college kids purchased a space heater for a cold, third floor room? No, this was just an accident which, unfortunately, could have been avoided. My thoughts are aimed toward the families - their well being and coping during this time - and not toward a completely mindless blaming game.

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