Jackson fire officials identify family killed in Skycrest fire, cause undetermined

Kelli Weir, The Repository
·2 min read
Flowers were left at the front of this Jackson Township home where fire swept through early Sunday killing four people inside.
Flowers were left at the front of this Jackson Township home where fire swept through early Sunday killing four people inside.

JACKSON TWP. ‒ Fire officials say the blaze that killed a family of four Sunday morning damaged the home so badly that its cause likely will never be known.

Jackson Fire Chief Timothy Berczik said Monday that Jackson fire investigators and the State Fire Marshal's Office have ruled the cause of the blaze that began just after midnight in the 4300 block of Skycrest Drive NW as undetermined.

Fire officials said the "fast-moving" fire killed Jeffrey Hawk, Talina Hawk and their two children, Ameila, 14, and Javen, 12. Three pets also died in the fire.

A GoFundMe page has been created to help the Hawk family's surviving children with funeral expenses: https://gf.me/v/c/q2m7/jeff-talina-javen-amelia-hawk

Jackson Township fire officials say that four members of the Hawk family, including Talina, left; Ameila, second to left; Jeff, fourth from left; and Javen, fifth from left, were killed in a Sunday morning fire at their Jackson Township home. A GoFundMe page has been created for the Hawk family's two surviving children.
Jackson Township fire officials say that four members of the Hawk family, including Talina, left; Ameila, second to left; Jeff, fourth from left; and Javen, fifth from left, were killed in a Sunday morning fire at their Jackson Township home. A GoFundMe page has been created for the Hawk family's two surviving children.

Jackson school superintendent: 'Ameila and Javen had infectious smiles'

At Jackson Memorial Middle School, counselors were on hand Monday as students and staff mourned the loss of the two students. Ameila was a seventh grader and Javen was in sixth grade.

"Both Ameila and Javen had infectious smiles," Superintendent Chris DiLoreto said in a statement. "They were loved by their classmates and they will be greatly missed at JMMS."

He said support will continue to be available for students and staff as long as they need it. Parents also can contact the school if they feel their child needs additional support.

A fire that swept through a home in the 4300 block of Skycrest Drive NW in Jackson Township early Sunday killed four people inside, including two Jackson Memorial Middle School students.
A fire that swept through a home in the 4300 block of Skycrest Drive NW in Jackson Township early Sunday killed four people inside, including two Jackson Memorial Middle School students.

Jackson fire chief: Origin of the fire unknown

On Monday, a road closed sign that reads "Residents Only" blocked off Skycrest Drive NW. But it still didn't stop people from visiting the destroyed home.

Bouquets of flowers, a dog toy and a small white cross were left at the mailbox. A long-sleeved Fox Racing shirt had been hung on a tree closer to the home.

A memorial was set up outside a fire that swept through a home in the 4300 block of Skycrest Drive NW in Jackson Township early Sunday killing four people inside.
A memorial was set up outside a fire that swept through a home in the 4300 block of Skycrest Drive NW in Jackson Township early Sunday killing four people inside.

Only the garage side of the brick, split-level home remains standing. Two cars still are parked in the driveway next to the double-door garage.

Berczik said fire investigators found a smoke detector that was chirping among the debris but it's unclear whether it alerted the family to the blaze. It's also unclear whether other smoke detectors were in the home.

"There was so much extensive damage to the house that we can't say anything (about why the fire started)," Berczik said. "We're not sure the origin or where the cause was."

Reach Kelli at 330-580-8339 or kelli.weir@cantonrep.com.

On Twitter: @kweirREP

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Jackson Township family mourned after fatal fire on Skycrest Drive NW