Woman and baby died before Wallingford house fire, police say

WALLINGFORD, CT (WFSB) – A woman and a baby were dead before a house fire in Wallingford last week, according to police.

Police identified the victims as Karizmah Johnson, 19, and 9-month-old Kylenn Varnado.

“The manner and cause of death is pending from the Connecticut Office of the Chief Medical Examiner,” Wallingford police said.

Justin Varnado, 24, died in the fire. Police said Varnado was arrested on domestic violence charges on March 25. He was charged with breach of peace second degree and risk of injury to a minor.

“At the time of the fire, there was an active order of protection barring Varnado from being at the residence,” said police.

The house fire was deemed “criminal in nature” by police.

Fire crews continued to investigated the scene and assess damage to the building at 25 Geneva Ave. on Thursday morning.

Police reopened the road around 12:15 p.m.

The fire broke out Wednesday around 6 p.m. inside the multi-family home.

One of the victims, Varnado, was found outside the home with severe burns and was transported to a hospital by a Life Star emergency helicopter. His death was announced on Friday.

The two others, Johnson and Kylenn, were found inside a second floor apartment. One was pronounced dead on the scene. The other was transported to another hospital and later pronounced dead.

Deputy Fire Chief Sam Wilson said his department was still working to confirm how many people lived in the home.

Firefighters encountered heavy fire and smoke on the second floor, which made it challenging for them to enter the building.

“When the crews got there, they encountered that first victim,” Wilson said. “They quickly transported him to an area hospital. They went inside and encountered the heavy black smoke, fire, and heat to get to the rest of the victims.”

The Red Cross was said to be helping multiple affected families.

A cause for the fire had yet to be determined.

“Investigation conducted by the Wallingford Fire Marshal’s Office and the State Fire Marshal’s Office with the assistance of the Wallingford Police Department’s Investigative Services Division, Central District Major Crime, and the New Haven State’s Attorney’s Office indicates that the incident is criminal in nature,” said Chief John Ventura, Wallingford Police Department.

Police said additional information would be released as it becomes available.

Stay with Channel 3 for the latest updates.