A tragic fire on December 20, 2025, claimed the lives of two young girls, Abby and Emma Keenan, who were trapped inside their home in Murrieta, California.
The fire started in the carport area, where Stacey Hales had left a propane tank on overnight after cooking tortilla chips on a stove outside. Despite managing to escape with one of their daughters, Ashley, Stacey and her partner Adam Keenan are now facing felony charges in connection to the deaths.
How Did the Fire Start?
The fire started in the carport area and quickly spread throughout the house, engulfing the entire property, including three cars and a large pine tree. Despite the intense heat, Stacey Hales and Adam Keenan managed to escape with their daughter, Ashley, but Abby and Emma were unable to get out in time and died from smoke inhalation.
Firefighters had extreme difficulty approaching the house due to the high temperatures and smoke. One fire captain even reported his helmet melting due to the heat.
Charges Filed Against Stacey Hales and Adam Keenan
After months of investigation, both Stacey Hales and Adam Keenan are facing serious charges related to the fire. On March 2, 2026, Hales was charged with:
- Two counts of arson causing great bodily injury
- Three counts of willful child cruelty
- Cruelty to animals
- Misdemeanor for drug use (methamphetamine)
Keenan is charged with:
- Three felony counts of willful child cruelty
- A misdemeanor for drug use (methamphetamine)
The Family’s Troubled History
The Hales family had a troubled history before the fire. Over the years, there were several domestic violence calls and visits from Child Protective Services. In 2013, Stacey was even charged with endangering a child when her 3-year-old nephew wandered off after she fell asleep while looking after him.
Moreover, Stacey had methamphetamine in her system when the fire occurred and admitted to daily use of the drug. Adam Keenan also admitted to using meth regularly around the time of the incident.
What Happened Inside the House?
When investigators entered the home after the fire, they discovered that:
- The house did not have working smoke alarms.
- The main exit was blocked by items, including dog crates.
- Stacey Hales tried to go back inside to rescue her daughters, but the intense heat prevented her from re-entering.
Stacey’s Injury and Family Loss
Stacey Hales suffered severe injuries in the fire, including burns and vision loss. Despite this, she lost both her daughters, her pets, and her home in the tragedy. Adam Keenan is currently in custody, while Stacey is out on bail.
