A series of recent fatal fires in Mahoning Valley have caught the attention of fire officials who say the trend is 'a little alarming'.

On Saturday Feb. 8, a devastating house fire in Niles on Trumbull Drive, claimed the life of the women who lived there. On Monday the State Fire Marshal launched an investigation to find out how it started, but their investigation was put on pause because of the icy conditions at the scene. 

This is just one of the four deadly fires that devastated families and left fire crews searching for answers.

According to the U.S. Fire Administration, 50% of fatal fires in Ohio in the last six weeks occurred in the Mahoning Valley. House fires in Warren, Youngstown, Boardman, and Niles ended with one death.

In Youngstown, a fire caused by space heaters resulted in the tragic death of five-year-old Amir Harrison. 

While investigators work to determine the causes in Warren, Niles, and Boardman, John Stevens, Niles fire chief, said two common issues are concerning.

"Generally, what we see is overloaded circuits. People [are] using extension cords that have damage to them," Stevens said. 

The fire chief in Warren believes many of these tragedies come down to a lack of common sense safety measures.

"Don't leave space heaters unattended, turn them off if you're not in the room. Don't leave cooking unattended. Don't smoke in bed," Ken Nussle said.