Porterville house fire that killed mother, 2 children ruled an accident

PORTERVILLE, Calif. (KFSN) -- A house fire that killed a mother and two of her children in Porterville has been ruled an accident.

[i]The video above is from an earlier story and will be updated.[/i]

The fire happened this past February at a two-story home on the corner of Plano Avenue and Harrison Street.

Investigators with the Porterville Fire Department have determined the most probable cause for the fire was an electrical failure involving wiring.

The investigation also determined that the fire originated in the ground-floor dining room and living room, along the east wall of the home.

Investigators say the home was built in 1903 and utilized a construction style that can allow fire to spread rapidly inside the walls.

There is no evidence suggesting the fire was started intentionally or under suspicious circumstances.

“This is a devastating tragedy for the family and our community,” said Fire Chief Bryan Cogburn in a news release. “While the fire has been determined to be accidental, this incident serves as a reminder of how quickly fire conditions can change, particularly in older residential structures."

35-year-old Gladis Plumlee and her two children, a 14-year-old girl and a 15-year-old boy, were killed in the flames. Gladis's husband and her oldest daughter were the only two who survived.

The family has organized a GoFundMe to help with clothing, shelter, and funeral expenses.