Family Of Frostburg University Fatal Fire Victim Speaks Out

FROSTBURG, Md. (WJZ)--The family of a Frostburg State University student killed in a fire with another student is speaking about their loss.

Suzanne Collins explains that a policeman in that Western Maryland town tried to get to the couple but didn't succeed. 

The policeman first on the scene suffered smoke inhalation trying to save the students.  The female victim was on the phone with 911 as firefighters were outside trying to get through a wall of fire.

Fire swept through the building above the pizza shop in Frostburg.  Evan Kullberg and Alyssa Salazar were trapped.  Fellow students are distraught by their deaths, and his family is devastated.

"We lost our dad a few years ago and Evan being the youngest stepped up as almost like a father figure which at first was annoying, but as time passed he really took care of us," said his sister Kristen Kullberg.

Evan was part owner of the pizza shop and a full-time student.  His girlfriend, Alyssa grew up in the Annapolis area. 

"It's unthinkable to lose a child," said Evan's mother Karol Kullberg. "No understandable fault of anyone."

Firefighters are investigating the cause, but it's not believed to be arson. They suspect the fire may have started in a wood stove.

A "police officer from Frostburg called me, and it was difficult to hear," said Evan's sister Katherine Kullberg. "But it was an accident so that gives us some solace." 

Evan was "just a really good kid, and he would never have let anything happen to us—ever," said Karol Kullberg. "He was going for [Alyssa] too.  Cause every room had a window. He could have jumped out a window, but he didn't."

There will be a vigil at Frostburg University on Sunday at 6 p.m. at the physical education center arena.

The university is offering counseling to students who are traumatized by the deaths.