Dad arrested after children left home alone escaped fire (Memphis, Tennessee)

Was there a mother living in this home? Sure doesn't sound like it, as none is mentioned. What happened to the mothers of these kids? Why were they all living with this neglectful father?

Dad is identified as JESSE TOWNSEND III.

http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/local-news/memphis-man-arrested-after-children-left-home-alone-escaped-fire_15743518

Memphis man arrested after children left home alone escaped fire

By: Katie Fretland
Posted: 4:33 PM, Jul 19, 2014
Updated: 4:51 PM, Jul 19, 2014

A 24-year-old man was arrested Saturday on suspicion of child abuse and neglect after three children left home alone escaped a fire.

Jesse Townsend III was being held on $50,000 bond.

Three children, ages 2, 5 and 6, were home alone Friday at about 4:20 p.m. at 2305 Pendleton Street when a fire began. Two employees of Ram property services who were working at property knocked on the door and the children were able to escape uninjured, according to the Memphis Fire Department.

Approximately 40 fire responders brought the fire under control by 4:32 p.m., said Memphis Fire Lt. Wayne Cooke. Three units were damaged by smoke, fire or water with an estimated damage cost of $30,000.

“The origin and cause of the fire was determined to be the result of children playing with a cigarette lighter in the bedroom,” Cooke said in a news release.

The suspect is the father of the 2-year-old boy left home alone and there was no working smoke detector at the residence. The fire department urges citizens to have a working smoke detector, which can be obtained for free by contacting 901-636-5650.