A Fire Ignited by Reckless Cooking (Image Credits: Unsplash)
Murrieta – A mobile home fire tore through a family property on Knight Drive in the early morning hours of December 20, 2025, claiming the lives of two young sisters and several pets.[1][2] Prosecutors hold the girls’ parents responsible, citing negligence compounded by drug impairment as the root cause. The surviving daughter and parents escaped, but the incident has led to multiple felony charges against Stacey Hales and Adam Keenan.
A Fire Ignited by Reckless Cooking
Firefighters arrived at the 41000 block of Knight Drive around 4:45 a.m. to find the mobile home, a wooden carport, three vehicles, two outbuildings, and a large pine tree fully engulfed in flames.[3] It took crews about 45 minutes to extinguish the blaze. Inside the structure, investigators discovered the bodies of 12-year-old Emma Keenan and 11-year-old Abagail Keenan in the living room, approximately seven feet apart. The girls died from inhalation of combustion products.
Prosecutors determined the fire started when Hales used a propane stove under the carport to cook tortilla chips in hot oil. She left the burner and propane tank running after falling asleep and heading inside.[2][4] The setup sat near combustible materials, including the wooden carport and pine tree. No functioning smoke detectors operated in the home, and exposed wires marked where they once hung. The front door stood partially blocked by stacked dog crates and stored items, complicating any potential escape.
Drug Impairment Central to the Case
Toxicology tests confirmed methamphetamine and cannabinoids in the systems of both Hales and Keenan at the time of the fire. Authorities allege the substances impaired their judgment, contributing to the fatal oversight.[2] Six pets perished alongside the girls, underscoring the extent of the devastation.
Hales and Keenan received hospital treatment for injuries sustained during the escape. Keenan broke out a bedroom window to flee with the couple’s eldest daughter, but he could not reach Emma and Abagail in time. Hales exited on her own. The third daughter survived unharmed from the immediate blaze.
Pattern of Dangerous Habits Exposed
Investigators uncovered a history of risky cooking practices by Hales. A previous kitchen fire had damaged the home significantly, prompting her to move cooking outdoors. Keenan had warned her repeatedly that the habit could prove deadly, once telling her she might “kill somebody one day.” Despite these cautions, he permitted the practice to continue.[4]
The Murrieta Police Department led a thorough probe, concluding that sufficient evidence established probable cause for criminal liability. “As a result of that investigation, investigators determined there was sufficient evidence to establish probable cause that Stacey Hales and Adam Keenan, both residents of the home, were criminally responsible for the fire and resulting deaths of the juveniles and animals,” the department stated in a release.[5]
Felony Charges and Court Developments
Riverside County prosecutors filed serious charges against both parents months after the incident. Hales, 46, faces the most counts, including two of reckless burning causing death and two of child endangerment. She also confronts accusations of reckless burning of an inhabited structure, animal cruelty, arson resulting in great bodily injury or death, and being under the influence of a controlled substance, plus a sentence enhancement. She posted $160,000 bail and remains out of custody, with an arraignment set for April 14.[4]
Keenan, 43, received charges of two to three counts of child cruelty or endangerment resulting in great bodily injury or death, along with being under the influence. Arrested on March 13, 2026, he pleaded not guilty during his March 17 arraignment before Judge Judith Clark. He stays in custody on $160,000 bail, with a felony settlement conference slated for March 25 at the Southwest Justice Center.[3]
| Defendant | Key Charges |
|---|---|
| Stacey Hales | Reckless burning causing death (x2), child endangerment (x2), under influence |
| Adam Keenan | Child endangerment/cruelty (x2-3), under influence |
Aftermath and Community Echoes
A GoFundMe campaign launched by a family friend shortly after the fire raised over $113,000 to cover funeral costs and rebuilding efforts. The page benefited Hales’ brother, Scott Nalder, but has since been removed.[1] The community rallied initially in support, unaware of the emerging details on parental responsibility.
The Riverside County District Attorney’s Office detailed in Hales’ arrest warrant that she “unlawfully killed two human beings without malice aforethought by committing a dangerous and reckless act – unattended high-temperature oil cooking in close proximity to combustible structures – under circumstances demonstrating conscious disregard for human life.” Keenan’s warrant noted his failure to intervene despite known risks.[2]
- The fire stemmed from an unattended propane stove used for cooking near flammable materials.
- Both parents tested positive for methamphetamine and marijuana, impairing their response.
- No smoke alarms worked, and escape routes remained obstructed, sealing the tragic outcome.
This case highlights the devastating consequences of impaired decision-making in the home. As proceedings continue, the focus remains on accountability for the young lives lost. What steps can families take to prevent such tragedies? Share your thoughts in the comments.
