Police Closing Investigation Into Fatal Poughkeepsie Fire
POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Investigators have failed to figure out what caused a fire that killed three college students in an off-campus house in January.
Poughkeepsie police said Friday that they are closing their investigation into the Jan. 21 fire without a determination about what caused the blaze.
The early morning fire claimed the lives of Kerry Fitzsimons, Eva Block and Kevin Johnson.
Fitzsimons and Block were seniors at Marist College, while Johnson was attending Dutchess Community College in Poughkeepsie. All were 21 years old.
The Daily Freeman of Kingston reports that investigators concluded the fire began at the rear of the first floor. They ruled out a variety of possible causes, including the heating system, portable heating units and cooking equipment.
Officials believe all three died of smoke inhalation. Police said one victim was found on the second floor of the house, one was downstairs and the third was under "considerable collapsed debris."
Four others in the house managed to escape without serious injuries.
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