Investigators Use Controlled Burns To Probe Annapolis Mansion Fire
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (WJZ)—Federal investigators hold controlled Christmas tree burns today as part of a continuing investigation into a massive Annapolis mansion fire that killed 6 people in January.
Christie Ileto speaks with fire investigators with what they were specifically looking for.
It was an electrical fire started by a malfunctioning socket, but fueled by a dry 15-foot Christmas tree that killed, tech executive Don Pyle, his wife and their four grandchildren.
The four alarm fire appears to have engulfed the once 16,000 thousand square foot mansion in a matter of 5 minutes--leaving the family without a chance to escape because of the speed and intensity of the flames.
Investigators say the Pyle's tree had been cut down more than 60 days prior to the fatal inferno. They're now asking why the tree when it did burn, burn the way it did.
ATF Special Agent David Chelplak says they are hoping to get those answers from Thursday's controlled burn of three Christmas trees. Trees bought from the same farm, shipped, placed and watered the similarly to the Pyle's tree.
Dry Christmas trees burn fast. In a WJZ special report last year on tree safety, it takes 15 seconds for a tree to fully engulf.
Ileto: "What specifically were you looking at?"
"The amount of heat coming off the tree, the rate at which it burned," Chelplak said.
Investigators now compiling their findings--hoping to explain why the Pyle's home burned as quickly as it did.
Now WJZ was not allowed to be present for the controlled burn, but ATF says their findings will be available in the coming weeks.
