NEEDLES, Calif. – Two toddlers perished in a house fire in Needles and their father has been arrested. The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s office said personnel responded at 10:04 p.m. Thursday to a home engulfed in flames in the 500 block of Bazoobuth St.
“Once the fire was extinguished, fire personnel entered the structure and found two deceased children inside,” a news release stated. The names of the one- and three-year-old girls were not released.
Investigators responded to the scene due to the suspicious nature of the incident.
“Detectives learned that the mother of the children was out of town and the children’s father, Christifer Williamson, 35, was caring for them,” the news release stated. “Williamson was not at the residence when deputies and fire personnel arrived.”
The Sheriff’s office said the Arizona Department of Public Safety detained Williamson during a Jan. 8 traffic stop at 3:30 p.m., more than 29 hours after the fire. Williamson was transported to the substation in Needles where he was booked on child endangerment charges.
The investigation continues.
Dave Hawkins
