2013: TRAGIC MUD FORK FIRE THAT TOOK FOUR LIVES UNDETERMINED - Investigation Ongoing

(04/19/2026)

The WV Fire Marshal's office said Thursday that the cause of a tragic March fire on Mud Fork, Calhoun County, that took four lives is undetermined. Fire Marshal Reed Cook said, "At the present time, the fire is listed as undetermined, but there is still an ongoing investigation." Killed in the fire, Darlene Gooslin, 57, and her three grandchildren, Ryan Jackson, 7, Patricia Jackson, 6, and Aryanna Jackson, 5. The children's father, Benjamin Jackson, 35, and his brother David Jackson, 40, managed to escape the blaze with burns and were taken to Cabell-Huntington Burn Center. The two survivors, after receiving treatment, were released from the burn center. Benjamin Jackson, father of the deceased children, was arrested after he was released from Cabell Huntington Hospital, with police saying they found methamphetamine, coffee filters and a smoking device in his belongings. See related stories FOUR DEAD IN EARLY MORNING FIRE ON MUD FORK - Grandmother, Three Small Children Victims, Two Survivors Taken To Burn Center INVESTIGATORS RETURN TO TRAGIC FIRE SCENE - Four Die In Early Morning Mud Fork Blaze JACKSON BROTHERS LISTED IN SERIOUS TO CRITICAL CONDITION IN BURN CENTER - Mud Fork Fire Kills Four FOUR FIRE VICTIMS FUNERALS WILL BE CONDUCTED TODAY IN CLAY FIRE DESTROYS BUILDING ADJACENT MOBILE HOME - Firemen Wrecks On Rain-Slick Rt. 16

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