Cause of fire that killed boy 'undetermined'

MUNCIE – Authorities will likely never know the specific cause of a May 8 house fire that killed a 3-year-old boy.

"There were too many potential things that could have happened," Robert Mead, chief fire investigator for the Muncie Fire Department, said this week.

Mead confirmed the cause of the fire would officially be classified as "undetermined." He said there was no evidence to suggest the blaze was anything but an accident.

Evidence that could have provided answers about the fire — that gutted the living room of the house at 1724 S. Daly Ave., and killed young Clayton Carnes and his puppy, Woody — was likely consumed in the flames.

"That, and there were too many things that could have ignited the fire," Mead said.

An autopsy confirmed Clayton died, in the living room, of smoke inhalation.

Other agencies, including the State Fire Marshal's Office and the Muncie Police Department, were involved in the investigation.

The day after the fire, Delaware County Deputy Prosecutor Zachary Craig acknowledged "they haven't found anything that's suspicious at all."

Clayton's mother, Katherine Wooten, and his 16-month-old brother, Jayveri, escaped from the burning house, as did Wooten's boyfriend, Dustin Mitchell.

Wooten told The Star Press in a May 11 interview that she and her two sons had been asleep in a rear bedroom of the house, which belonged to Mitchell's mother.

Clayton at some point left his bed and went into the living room, where the fire broke out.

Awakened by Mitchell's shouts, Wooten said she broke out a bedroom window and set her younger son outside, then "went back (and) couldn't get through the flames to get to Clayton."

His mother said Clayton had only recently learned to ride his bicycle, and took delight in taking his dog on walks and making his little brother laugh.

Contact news reporter Douglas Walker at (765) 213-5851. You can also follow him on Twitter @DouglasWalkerSP.