JAMAICAN WOMAN AND DAUGHTER BURNT TO DEATH BY BOYFRIEND

The Columbus Division of Police said the woman and her 2-year-old who were found dead after a house fire are now being considered the victims in a homicide investigation.

A report of a fire at a home in the 3300-block of Retriever Road was called in at approximately 7:25 p.m. on Wednesday.

The bodies of 42-year-old Gary Morris, 33-year-old Nerissa Distin, and their 2-year-old daughter Serina Morris were found after their home exploded Wednesday night.

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Investigators say all three victims were in the same area of the home in the 3300 block of Retriever Road in Southeast Columbus when it exploded around 7:25 p.m.

Neighbors tell 10TV they heard at least two loud booms. Immediately, they say, flames were pouring from the home.

“When I came out me and my mom saw big old flames and we took off running trying to hurry up. There was nothing we could do,” said Donovan Britford. “It looks like somebody threw a grenade. Big old smokes in the air. Big old flames.”

There were panicked calls to 911.

“You can’t see anything but the flames inside the house and it is bad,” said one caller. “We just knocked on the door and no one is answering. There are two cars in the driveway, man.”

Columbus firefighters were at the home and putting water on the fire within five minutes.

With the intensity of the fire, they say it was clear there would be no survivors.

“Heavy flame from ceiling down to the floor,” said Battalion Chief Steve Martin. “And a human can’t survive that for more than a couple seconds. It took us a while, we really had to push in, using a lot of water just to be able to get in and do that search.”

On Thursday, the Columbus Division of Fire said at least one of the deaths was not related to the fire.

A preliminary investigation by police determined the deaths of Nerissa and Serina to be homicides and the actions of Morris resulted in his own death.

Police did not provide any other details and the investigation is ongoing.

Family members tell 10TV Gary and Nerissa both came here from Jamaica and became U.S. citizens.

One relative says she can’t believe anyone would want them harmed.

“It is sad. Especially sad,” said Britford. “Especially on New Year’s with people celebrating with their families…it’s sad.”

Columbia Gas says they checked the lines going to this home and found no problems.

Neighbors say the family had only lived there a few months but called them “friendly and super nice” and say they saw no trouble.

Nerissa Distin worked as a nurse at Mt Carmel Rehabilitation Hospital in Westerville.

In a statement, the hospital said:

“We are devastated by the tragic loss of our colleague and friend Nerissa Distin. Nerissa was a compassionate nurse, who was committed to helping our patients during challenging points in their lives. She will be missed dearly by our team, and our thoughts are with her friends and loved ones.”