The fire that claimed the life of a four-year-old child yesterday was started when a six-year-old friend used matches to ignite a pair of shoes in the bedroom where the disabled boy slept. Four-year-old Jason Williams was rescued by firefighters from his apartment in the 2900 block of Knox Place, SE but died overnight.

"We are all very saddened by this development," said DC Fire/EMS Chief Ronnie Few, who met with the boy's family at the hospital. "Jason's family is in our thoughts and prayers."

Units were dispatched for an apartment fire at 2925 Knox Place, SE just before noon on March 28th. Firefighters on Engine 32 reported heavy smoke and a fire in a second floor apartment. Firefighters had information that a child was trapped in the back bedroom. Lt. R.D. DeWitt and Firefighter Jason Palmer pulled the child from the bedroom and took him to the hallway, where he was handed off to Firefighter P.R. Fletcher. Fletcher then took the child to the back parking lot, where he administered CPR.

The six-year-old boy, whose identity will not be released because of his age, had been staying with the Williams family. He has been referred to the DC Fire/EMS "Junior Firestarters" program, which counsels young children and their families. He and a two-year-old-boy were in the apartment at the time of the fire, but they were not hurt.

Two firefighters were treated for minor injuries sustained in battling the blaze.

Inspectors Stewart and Pinkney meet with the Trotter family, among the dozens of people with whom they met following yesterday's fatal fire.

Fire Inspectors Charles Stewart and Kimberly Pinkney went door-to-door in the complex where a four-year-old boy died in a fire. They handed out smoke detectors and fire prevention information. There was no smoke detector in the apartment where Jason Williams died.