colfax avenue fatal fire

Case Number

2014-048 Lead Investigator

Ron Rahman

State Fire Marshal Division Department of Public Safety 444 Cedar Street, Suite 145

St. Paul, MN 55101-5145

Investigation Report Confidentiality: Juvenile: Homicide: Confidential:

Property

Name: Troy Lewis Jr. apartment

Address: 2818 Colfax Avenue North, Apt. 2

City: Minneapolis County: Hennepin State: MN Zip: 55411-

Phone: - - Contact Name: Mission Inn Minnesota, Inc. Contact Phone: 612-605-0745

Property Use Code: 419

Building Name: Residence Use Code: 419 Alarm Type: Detection - Smoke - Hardwired/Battery Sprinkler: None

Section Name: Attic Level Bedrooms Use code: 419 Alarm Type: Detection - Smoke - Hardwired/Battery Sprinkler: None

Incident Detail

Date: 02/14/2014 Time: 0530 Fire Type: Undetermined Fire Cause: Undetermined # Injuries: 8

Fire Dept.: Minneapolis FDID: 27218 Req. Agency: Minneapolis Fire Department Coop. Agency: Minneapolis Police, Hennepin County Medical Examiner

Type of Occupancy: Residentail Rental Property Pre Fire Value: $279,366.00 Loss: $250,000.00

Smoke Detector Performance: Unknown Sprinkler System Performance: None

Occupied: Yes: No:

Disposition

Open: Closed: Referred to other agency: Referral Info:

Note: All fields underlined are required upon initial submission of this report.

Synopsis

This fire began in the middle room of the second level (apartment 2) and spread from that location through the second level to the only stairway for the third level, where it trapped children. The forensic examination continues relative to the cause of the fire.

Owner 1 Check if Occupant:

Last First Middle Fatality DOB Gender

Mission Inn MInnesota, Inc. / / Choose

Address: 2901 Freemont Avenue North #206 CO: % BAC: Drugs:

City: Minneapolis State: MN Zip: 55411-

Phone: 612-605-0745 Contact Name: Contact Phone: - -

E-mail: School District #: Country:

Blue indicates required fatality information. DOB is optional unless a fatality.

Owner 2 Check if Occupant:

Last First Middle Fatality DOB Gender

/ / Choose

Address: CO: % BAC: Drugs:

City: State: Zip: -

Phone: - - Contact Name: Contact Phone: - -

E-mail: Country:


Occupants

Last First Middle DOB Fatality Gender CO BAC Drugs

Lewis Gwendolyn 07/24/2012 F 75% No

Lewis III Troy 09/10/2010 M 49% No

Lewis Fannie 09/04/2009 F 45% No

Lewis Mary 02/23/2007 F 75% No

Lewis Christopher 11/22/2005 M 62% No

Lewis Jr. Troy nmn 01/23/1954 M %

Lewis Shaca / / F %

Lewis Electra / / F %

/ / Choose %

/ / Choose %


Other Fatalities – Fire Fighters and Others

Last First Middle DOB Gender FF/Other CO BAC Drugs

/ / Choose Choose %

/ / Choose Choose %

/ / Choose Choose %

/ / Choose Choose %

/ / Choose Choose %

CO, BAC and Drugs only required if fatality is not a Fire Fighter

Insurance Record

Insurance Agency: Agent: Phone: - - City:

Insurance Co: State Farm Policy Number: 93BGK2433 Inception Date: Expiration Date:

Amount of Policy: Building: $279,366.00 Contents: Other:

Claim Number: 2329D5021 Payable to: Mission Inn MN., Inc. Adjuster: Sandy Herzer Phone: 651-365-9213

Remarks: Property insurance carrier for Mission Inn Minnesota, Inc.

Narrative Report

People

Troy Lewis Jr., DOB 1/23/1954, occupant of apartment 2, father of injured and deceased children/victims

Christopher S. Lewis, DOB 11/22/2005, deceased son/occupant

Mary Lewis, DOB 2/23/2007, deceased daughter/occupant

Fannie Lewis, DOB 9/4/2009, deceased daughter/occupant

Troy Lewis III, DOB 9/10/2010, deceased son/occupant

Gwendolyn Lewis, DOB 7/24/2012, deceased daughter/occupant

Shaca Lewis, nine-year-old surviving sibling/occupant

Electra Lewis, five-year-old surviving sibling/occupant

District Chief Raymond Cruz, Minneapolis Fire Department (MFD)

Detective Sergeant Sean McKenna, Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) Arson Squad

Captain Bonnie Blaskachek, Investigator, MFD

Fire Inspector Denise Bryn, MFD

Mike Tremain, State Farm Insurance Company, SIU/Claims

Brian Haag, Whitemore Fire Consultants, Inc., private fire investigator hired by State Farm Insurance

Dan Choudek, Onsite Engineering, Inc., forensic electrical engineer hired by State Farm Insurance

William Moran, Murnane Brandt Law Firm, Attorney at Law representing State Farm Insurance

Background

On February 14, 2014, the State Duty Officer contacted me regarding a residential structure fire at 2818 Colfax Avenue North in Minneapolis. The fire occurred on the same date and was reported at approximately 0530 hours. I made telephone contact with Minneapolis Fire Department (MFD) District Chief Raymond Cruz, who related that this is a duplex up and down rental property. Several people were brought out of the structure and transported to area hospitals, one person was reported to be deceased and another or others were presently missing. I also received a phone call from Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) Detective Sergeant Sean McKenna, who was informed I was about to be en route.

I responded immediately and met McKenna, along with MFD Captain Bonnie Blaskachek at the scene. Other Minneapolis firefighters also remained at the scene, along with Minneapolis Police officials. It was learned at approximately this time that three victims were deceased and all were children from apartment #2. I also

subsequently met MPD Detective Sergeant Erika Christensen when she arrived back at the scene. She had interviewed renter Troy Lewis Jr. and was also conducting background investigative activities. She also notified us that the death count of victims had risen to five.

Property Description

The affected property sets on the east side of Colfax Avenue North and is the third property south of North 29th Avenue. The affected residence sets predominantly east and west in length and it is a site built, wood frame structure that is three stories in height, including the attic area that has been made into three bedrooms. It also has a full basement in addition to the three levels previously described. The exterior wall covering is presently slate and the peaked roof is covered with asphalt shingles.

The residence front (west) has open porches/decks on the main and second levels and the rear has two enclosed porches, one on top of the other, for the main and second levels. Examination of the interior of the east enclosed second level porch revealed it was added to the residence some time after original construction, as wood lapboard was located under the present sheetrock wall between the residence on the porch side.

The main entrances are side by side and are in the west wall in the north half of that wall. The north entrance is to apartment two, which is on the second and third levels, and the south entrance is to apartment one on the main level. The second entrance is in the east residence wall inside the enclosed porch. This entrance has a small foyer area with a lockable door to the main level apartment to the left. Steps to the second level are to the right and steps to the basement are straight ahead to the west. A door is in the doorway to the basement level also. A door to the steps to the upper level was not noted from the foyer. The steps to the second level travel upward approximately one-half level, then turn to the left 180 degrees, and then continue up to the second level. A short corridor traveling north/south is along the east residence wall in the second level and the doorway to the enclosed porch is east of the top of the stairway.

The steps to the third level are just north of the second entrance steps to the second level. Those steps travel upward to the west. This is the only set of stairs to the third level. The west exterior wall of the third level has two windows and the east wall has one window.

The second level also has a third exit door in the west wall, north quadrant, which services the deck area. There are no steps from the deck down to grade level.

The electrical service to the structure is from overhead wires from the alley east of the property. Each apartment has its own meter on the east wall, close to the northeast corner of the structure. Separate electrical panel boxes are on the east wall of the basement level in the north quadrant. The natural gas meters and associated piping are along the south residence wall, close to the southwest corner. Each apartment has its own meter and piping.

A detached garage is east of the residence and directly adjacent to the alley east of the property. The garage overhead door is in the south wall.

Exterior Examination

All exterior fire damage appeared to be on the second and third levels of the affected structure. All windows of those levels were broken and missing. The east wall exhibited fire damage above the windows of the enclosed porch of the second level and fire damage was noted around and above the third level window. It should be noted that the slate exterior wall finish assists in deterring more exterior fire damage from being noted as it is non-combustible.

The north wall windows only exhibited some smoke and heat damage above them. The south wall exhibited fire damage above the second level windows.

The west wall exhibited fire damage above the multiple windows of the south quadrant room of the second level. The third level windows were open; however they did not exhibit any significant forms of fire or heat damage on the exterior.

Interior Examination

Initially, the main level apartment (apartment one) was partially seen from the main entrance doorway and the west area of the apartment appeared in good condition, except for water and some smoke damage. A subsequent examination of the main level revealed large amounts of water damage. Light amounts of smoke damage and odor were noted.

The visual examination of apartment two began at the main entrance stairway. The steps traveled upward to the east to a landing and then continued upward to the south. Smoke and water damage were noted in the stairway area. The upper area of the stairway exhibited heat and fire damage at the top, with ceiling tiles fallen from the wood strips they had been attached to. Fire and heat damage were also apparent on the upper areas of the walls. The door to apartment two was to the east of the upper stairway.

Apartment two is configured with a main room that could be used for a living room in the west quadrant. Two stuffed love seats are in this room, one along the south wall and one along the north wall, and both just west of the large open doorway to the east. A wood desk is also in the southwest corner along the south wall.

A smaller room to the north of this room is presently being used for a storage room; however it could also be used for a bedroom. The door to this room is in the north wall in the northwest quadrant and west of the love seat.

East of the west main room is another main room that will be referred to as the middle room. This is also a room that could be used for a living room or dining room. The north wall contains a doorway to a bedroom that was subsequently determined to be the bedroom for the two surviving children listed in the “People” section. The east wall contains two doors, one at the north end and one at the south end. The north end door services the short corridor to the bathroom and master bedroom. The master bedroom is in the northeast quadrant of that level and the bathroom is between it and the children’s bedroom. The south end door services the kitchen farther to the east. A doorway in the north wall of the kitchen also enters the short corridor to the master bedroom and bathroom.

A wood entertainment center that contains a television on top, a DVD player, what appears to be a stereo, and a cable box is along the south wall of the middle room. Two bottom round wood pancake style bases for either a sofa or love seat were located on the floor in the area of steel springs for that type of furnishing. No wood frame material or cushion material were noted. This furnishing was setting in approximately the middle of the room. The melted remains of a plastic play house or something similar were noted along the east wall of the room. The melted remains of a vacuum cleaner were adjacent to the north wall in the northwest quadrant. An unknown melted mass was adjacent to the west of the bases for the sofa/loveseat.

The children’s bedroom contained a box spring and mattress. The master bedroom contained a bed against the west wall and close to the north wall. A dresser was against the east wall in the northeast quadrant. A small closet was south of the room and along the east exterior wall.

The kitchen contained the refrigerator and natural gas-fired kitchen range along the west wall. Counter space and the sink were in the north quadrant of the room against the north and north quadrant of the east wall. The southeast quadrant of the kitchen contained the doorway to the east short corridor to the enclosed porch to the east, the stairway down, and then the stairway to the third level.

The enclosed porch consisted of glass windows in the upper half in the south, east and north walls. The floor contained the remains of a window-style air conditioner and other small items. The remains of a dog were on the floor in the southeast quadrant along the east wall.

The third level stairway traveled upward to the east and entered that level in the northeast quadrant. The west half of the third level contained two narrow rooms, one on the north side and one on the south. All rooms contained mattresses in them. All rooms of the third level contained knee walls in the lower areas and then followed the underside of the roof shape to the peak.

The walls of the rooms of the second and third levels were constructed of lath and plaster. The ceilings were constructed of the same material; however the master bedroom, bathroom and children’s bedroom had suspended ceilings in metal framework in place presently.

The basement level was visually examined. Water was standing on the floor throughout that level. A natural gas-fired forced air furnace and two gas-fired water heaters were noted in the basement. All appliances were in good condition. The two electric panel boxes were located on the east wall, close to the northeast corner. One box was labeled “1” and the other was marked “2”.

The box marked “1” contained seven single-throw breakers on the left side and two double-throw breakers on the right side, along with the main breaker above all branch circuit breakers. The third single breaker down from the top of the row was in the tripped position and this breaker was labeled “GEN.CKT” on the legend attached to the panel box door.

The box marked “2” contained eight single-throw branch circuit breakers on the left, three single-throw breakers on the right, and one double-throw breaker on the right. This box also contained a Department of Labor and Industry Electrical Inspection sticker on it that is dated11/17/09. The inspector is listed as D. Sawyer. Tripped breakers in box “2” included in single-throw breakers: number 2 listed as “APPL”, number 3 listed “GEN.CKT”, number 5 listed “GEN.CKT”, the unmarked circuit below 5 listed as “2nd floor dining”, the

bottom left breaker listed as “3rd FLOR BEDROOM LT” and a single-throw breaker on the right side marked number 7 listed as “living room 3rd floor bedroom nw heaters”.

The second level east enclosed porch was the first area examined. Debris was examined and removed from the floor area. The material of the interior walls and ceiling was destroyed and extensive charring was noted throughout. The remains of a dog were on the floor in the southeast corner, along the east wall. After clearing the debris from the room and during a subsequent examination later in the day, it was agreed among members that this damage was caused by the windows breaking and air being allowed into the room and structure from this room, causing free burning of combustible materials.

Also noted in the porch was a duplex electrical outlet in the north wall and another in the south wall of the porch a short distance out from the residence wall. Neither outlet had a cover remaining over the box; however the outlet itself remained in relatively good condition. The three electrical conductors going to each outlet box were void of insulation and each of the sets of wires traveled to the outlets from a metal junction box above the ceiling and above the doorway. Three conductors came through the structure wall to the junction box to feed the individual outlets’ conductors. One last note is that neither outlet appeared to have any appliance blades in any of the openings.

Visual examination of the third level was made possible with the use of a fire department metal ladder that had been laid over the area where the steps and risers were partially destroyed and the stairway was not usable. Two bedrooms were in the west half and one bedroom was in the east. All rooms had knee walls and storage areas were behind the knee walls on the north and south sides. The ceiling material had failed, exposing the underside of the roof in all rooms. The floor was in good condition in the east half. The floor of the west rooms was weak and partially burned through in the tongue and groove area of the floor boards above the area of worst fire damage in the second level below. Carpeting on the floor was also burned through in strips matching with the areas of the burn through between the boards.

Further visual examination led members to the middle room where the wall and ceiling covering materials had also failed; however the extensive fire destruction to lath material, third level floor joists, and the underside of the single thickness third level floor was very pronounced in the west half of the room. Lath material remained in the east half and also in the west room.

Debris was examined and moved from the floor in the middle room. During this process, two round wood bases for either a love seat or sofa were located after metal springs for the same type of furnishing were located on the floor in the middle to west quadrant of the room. Also located in the springs were two round coiled springs that were flattened.

A path to the main entrance doorway was cleared and water that covered the floor was pushed down the stairwell. Protected areas where the round bases sat were on the hardwood floor. It was at this time that a melted mass of material was located on the floor to the north of the area being cleared. Turning this mass over revealed the undamaged base of a vacuum cleaner. The unit was set aside. Farther east of the remains of the vacuum cleaner, a lightweight wood box with a speaker was located on the floor.

Continuation of debris examination and removal to the south along the west quadrant of the middle room revealed another larger melted mass of material. Raising this mass from the floor and examination of the underside failed to reveal what this mass had been. This mass had also been close to the destroyed sofa/love seat and between the furnishing and the west room wall north of the large door opening.

Examination of the west wall north of the door opening revealed electrical conductors inside the wall and remains of electrical connections on some of the wires. It was also noted that this wall had been breached by fire on the east side and also on the lower west side of the wall. It should also be noted that some of the conductors reached down into this lower area.

Further examination of the floor debris under this area revealed two metal electrical boxes; one was for a light switch and the other for a duplex outlet. Material was frozen onto and in the outlet box presently. The boxes were set aside.

It was also noted at that time that the east end frame of the north love seat in the west room was predominantly consumed. This is significantly different compared to the west end of the love seat or the other love seat’s entire frame across the room to the south.

Visual examination continued for electrical outlets in the middle room. It was determined that all outlets were just above the trim board above the floor at the base of the walls. There was an outlet in the west wall, north of the door opening, as shown by the box that was located. Another was in the north wall, west of the doorway to the children’s bedroom. Two outlets were in the east wall, one close to each door opening in that wall. No outlet was noted in the west wall, south of the large door opening. The majority of the south wall was covered with the entertainment center; however the clear area in the east sector of the wall did not have an outlet in it.

The only outlet that appeared to have anything plugged into it was the south outlet in the east wall by the doorway to the kitchen. This appeared to be a two blade plug, and the insulation to the line cord was melted away. The stranded wires were also broken a few inches from the plug/outlet. Further examination of debris below this area revealed broken stranded wires that were void of insulation. Following those wires revealed insulation that again appeared on the wires and the wires then traveled under a rug or carpet to the south. The area the line cord was under the rug/carpet was also the walkway between the middle room and the kitchen. The wires appeared again along the south wall and continued a short distance to the west. The female end of the short extension cord (lightweight brown in color similar to that used on a Christmas tree) was located and it had another similar lightweight extension cord with two blades plugged into the female end. Also, there was a knot tied in the two cords to keep the connection from pulling apart. The second cord then continued to travel to the west along the south wall behind the entertainment center. Collapsed debris from above covered this area behind the entertainment center and it was not possible at this time to determine if the cord had a power strip or some other device for the entertainment center plugged into it.

An electrical baseboard heater along the south wall of the middle room was visually examined. It appeared the unit was hardwired into the house circuitry, as a control was located at the east end. Visual examination of an adjacent heater in the kitchen revealed the same thing, except the control area was at the west end, with no exposed wiring.

The west room was visually examined and an older-looking space heater with metal exterior covering was located in an upright position on the floor between the east end of the love seat and the partial wall. Further examination revealed the appliance was not plugged into an outlet or extension cord; however the line cord had been completely severed in the past and then the two pieces were separated in the middle lengthways. Each of the now four ends of the two cords were then stripped of insulation and corresponding cords tied together in two knots. The stranded ends of the wires were also twisted back together; however no tape or wire nuts covered the exposed wires. No outlets were located in the area of the space heater.

A melted mass on top of the entertainment center’s lower area was pried loose and turned up. The bottom side revealed it was the remains of the television set and the base was in good condition, with vent openings and letters formed into the plastic able to be recognized.

Also, during the course of the examination on this date, smoke detectors or their remains were attempted to be located. The main level and basement level each contained smoke detectors and one on each level was still activating. The junction box for a detector was seen in the ceiling of the west room north of the ceiling light fixture. Another was noted in the northwest storage room. Another junction box and associated wiring was noted at the top of the stairwell of the steps to the third level at the east end of the stairwell.

The initial examination ended for the day at this time. No items were removed from the property and all agreed to stop at this point to determine what insurance carrier(s) would be involved. A board-up crew arrived and secured the structure.

On February 17, 2014, I received a phone call from Mike Tremain, a SIU official with State Farm Insurance Company. He stated that State Farm carries the property insurance coverage for the affected property and he was in the process of hiring a company to conduct origin and cause of the fire. Tremain was provided information gathered thus far. Later in the day, I learned that Whitemore Fire Consultants, Inc. was the company retained by State Farm and I subsequently spoke with Brian Haag, a private fire investigator with Whitemore Fire Consultants. It was agreed to meet at the scene on February 19.

On February 19, 2014, I traveled to the Minneapolis Police Arson Squad office in Minneapolis and spoke with McKenna and Christensen. McKenna and I then proceeded to the scene and met Haag and also Dan Choudek, a forensic electrical engineer with Onsite Engineering, also hired by State Farm. I also subsequently met William Moran, Attorney at Law with Murnane Brandt Law Firm in St. Paul. The Murnane Brandt Firm was representing State Farm Insurance Company. No word was received on whether the occupants of apartment one or apartment two had renter’s insurance coverage.

Access was gained to the structure through the main entrance of apartment one and the rear stairway was utilized to gain access to the second and third levels, along with the basement. Haag and Choudek were advised of what had been conducted or moved thus far for accuracy purposes of their examination. Haag and Choudek conducted their own independent examination.

I re-photographed the great majority of the scene, as original photos were somewhat obscured with steam on the day of the incident.

Close to the conclusion of the independent examination, Moran, Haag and Choudek were advised that nothing presently had been disturbed or taken from the scene; however that may be a problem in the future with burglary or theft of metals, etc. Because of this, the melted mass and the items from the outlet box in the west wall of the middle room were identified and wrapped in plastic. Choudek then retained these items for future non-destructive examination via x-ray. McKenna also placed evidence tags on the items.

On February 20, 2014, the Department of Labor and Industry’s Electrical Inspections section was contacted via cell phone and the date on the sticker was verified. It was also determined that at least three electrical inspections had occurred on different dates on the affected property. A request for copies of those inspections was sent via email to the Inspections section.

Evidence

I did not retain any evidentiary artifacts from the scene. Dan Choudek retained the unknown melted mass from the middle room, along with electrical components from the outlet box from the west wall north of the large opening to the west room. Those items were wrapped in plastic and retained for security reasons. No destructive testing was conducted. Prior to Choudek retaining the items, McKenna placed Minneapolis Police Evidence stickers on the items also.

Photographs & Diagrams

Digital photographs were taken prior to and during the scene examinations. A photo inventory of those photos I took is attached to this report. A sketch of the second level is also attached.

Interviews & Investigation Activity

I did not conduct interviews relative to this case. Minneapolis Police and Fire officials conducted interviews during the course of their duties (please refer to their reports).

Conclusion

Since forensic testing is not yet completed, the ignition factor is not yet known. Because of this, the first material ignited is also not known; however the area of origin is agreed upon by investigators to be the middle room of the second level and, further, the northwest quadrant of the middle room to be more specific.

This case will remain in the open and active status presently.

Respectfully submitted,

Ronald C. Rahman

Deputy State Fire Marshal – Investigator

Date Submitted: 2-21-14

Attachments

1. Photo Inventory

2. Sketch of second level

3. Legend for second level sketch

4. Legend for third level sketch

5. Sketch of third level

Photo Inventory

Case No. 2014-048

The following numbered descriptions correlate with photos taken on 2-14-14 and those photos are marked 2014-048 on the photo CD.

1. The south side and east end of the residence.

2. Minneapolis PD sign on the back of the house.

3. Electrical inlet, meters and mast.

4. Power pole that fed overhead wires.

5. Second and third level exterior fire damage on the east end.

6. Below prior photo.

7. Upper area of the north wall.


9. The south wall.

10. Charring on top of the window openings of the east enclosed porch.

11. The front (west).

12. The front and the north side.

13. Another MPD sign on the front of the building.

14. House identification number.

15. Looking into main entry door of apartment one on main level.

16. Apartment two mail box.

17. Apartment one mail box.

18. Lower area of the stairway to apartment 2.

19. Continuation upward to apartment 2 from the stairway landing.

20. Above prior photo.

21. Looking into the middle room from the doorway.


23. Left of photo 21.



26. Looking into the south area of the west room.


28. The north area of the west room.


30. Doorway to the spare/storage room.

31. Looking inside.

32. The north sector of the middle room.


34. Looking into kitchen from the south opening to it from the middle room.


36. Northeast quadrant of the kitchen.


38. Refrigerator and range along the west kitchen wall.


40. Left side burner controls on range.

41. Right side burner controls.

42. Looking north along east short corridor.

43. South area of the east enclosed porch.

44. Left of prior photo.

45. Dog remains in southeast corner.

46. Window air conditioner and outlet along south wall.

47. Doorway to third level with FD ladder still covering area for steps.

48. FD ladder covering burned out stairway.



51. The air conditioner and stranded wires.

52. Area that was in contact with the floor.

53. Magazine rack and stranded wires.

54. Unknown object attached to base of window frame.

55. Stranded wires.

56. Continuation.

57. Floor area cleared of debris in the enclosed porch.

58. Charring on underside of roof.

59. North area of the porch showing extensive charring down to floor level.

60. Different view.

61. South door frame for porch.

62. North door frame for porch.

63. Above doorway in corridor.

64. Looking west through kitchen.

65. The west room from the large doorway.

66. Above prior photo showing a large amount of lath material remaining on the ceiling.

67. North sector of the west room.


69. South sector of the west room.


71. The east sector of the spare/storage room.

72. The west sector.

73. Above prior photo showing light fixture to the right and smoke detector junction box and wires to the left.

74. The northeast sector of the middle room.

75. Above prior photo showing extensive charring of third level joists and floor.

76. Adjacent area showing no charring.

77. Charring of joists and underside of floor above.

78. Main entrance south door frame member and latch/lock area.


80. North upper side.

81. Main entry door remains.

82. Metal spring remains and light fixture moved to area along middle room east wall.

83. Unknown melted mass setting on edge.

84. Opposite side.

85. Close view.

86. Stranded wires from a line cord with one blade remaining and part of a second.

87. The north side of the large doorway from the west wall side.

88. Same wall, opposite side.

89. Upper stairway area to the third level.

90. Ladder over burned out steps and risers.

91. Overview.

92. Insulation in rafter channel area of roof underside.


94. Roof peak in east sector.

95. Looking west in north sector.


97. Sink for small bathroom along north wall.


99. Lower doorway to south bedroom in the west sector.


101. Chimney above sheetrock wall.

102. Small storage room.


104. Looking west along north wall of north room.


106. Wall between the two rooms.

107. Different view.

108. South bedroom floor partially burned through.

109. Right of prior photo.


111. Closer view of the burning through the floor and carpet.

112. Close view.

113. Charring in the roof peak area.

114. Bad photo.

115. Middle room, northwest quadrant with area cleared to the door for water removal.

116. Closer view of stranded wires subsequently determined to be from the vacuum cleaner.

117. Close view.

118. Stranded wire being held.

119. Debris cleared from vacuum cleaner remains.

120. Mass turned upside down.

121. Electrical conductors inside the west wall north of the large doorway.

122. Closer view.

123. Partial connection remains on end of wire.


125. Stacked chairs to be moved from along east wall.

126. Electrical outlet in north sector of east wall.

127. Electrical outlet in the south sector of the east wall.

128. Close view of outlet and blades

129. Some ends of the stranded wires.

130. Older space heater setting upright on floor in west room.

131. Space heater removed from position.

132. Front of space heater.

133. Controls.

134. Heater brand label.

135. Line cord coming out of heater.

136. Side and end.

137. Top and back.

138. Plug and blades.

139. Line cord severed, sections tied in knots, insulation removed from wires and wires twisted together.

140. Exposed twisted wires.

141. Knot tying two halves together.

142. Another knot and twisted wires.

143. Opposite view.

144. Debris cleared from area that heater sat with no outlet or extension cord.


146. Love seat frame tipped forward to show the wall.


148. Unknown object on trim board.


150. Speaker box.

151. Closer view.

152. Inside.

153. East outlet in the north wall.

154. Closer view shows red insulation for wires behind outlet.

155. Melted mass.

156. Outlet box to left and switch box to right shows melted metal on the outlet box.

157. Debris examination and removal.

158. Entertainment center.

159. TV bottom is not damaged.

160. Warning label on blinds.

161. Warning label on bottom of TV can still be read.


163. UL label.

164. Area where TV sat is in good condition.

165. Bottom side of the melted plastic children’s play area.

166. Floor under in good condition.

167. Top of play area.

168. Closer view.

169. Close view.

170. Metal pieces melted in.

171. Continuation.

172. Remainder of line cord located in debris and it travels under a rug or carpet.

173. Close view of area void of insulation.

174. Line cord ends.

175. Cord traveling under rug.

176. Closer view.

177. Continuation.

178. Overview of cord exposed and traveling toward south wall.

179. Cord traveling under end of wall heater unit.

180. Control area of wall heater.

181. East quadrant of middle room third level joists and underside of floor in middle room.

182. West quadrant of same thing showing distinct difference.


184. Clearing debris and material from the kitchen south wall heater unit.

185. Close view of control shows no line cord or extension cord for power.

186. Opposite end of unit.


188. Overview of kitchen heater, doorway, middle room heater and extension cords.

189. Extension cord under base of heater.

190. More extension cord exposed and showing a female end with another male end plugged into it.


192. Clearer view.

193. Close view of plug area and knot in the lines.

194. Overview.


196. Close view of knot.

197. Looking into spare/storage room.

198. Electrical box in ceiling for smoke detector.

199. Close view.

200. Lower main entrance area to apartment one.


202. North side of living room.




206. Bedroom.


208. Detectors on wall.

209. Opposite view of living room.


211. Bedroom.




215. Kitchen/dining area.


217. Opposite view.


219. Bathroom and another room's doorways.


221. Bathroom.


223. Bedroom.




227. Smoke detector.

228. Closer view.

229. Detector on ceiling.

230. Closer view.

231. Secondary east entrance area and steps to upper level.


The following numbered descriptions correspond to photos taken with a different camera on 2-14-14 and are marked 2014-048-1 on the photo CD.

1. Electrical panel box marked number 2.

2. Panel box marked number 1.

3. Six breakers tripped in number 2 panel box.

4. Legend for panel box number 2.

5. Electrical inspection sticker on panel box 2.

6. One breaker tripped in panel box 1.

7. Panel box 1 legend.

8. Panel box marking.

9. Panel box marking for 2.

10. Forced air furnace in basement.


12. Two gas- fired water heaters.

13. Different view.

14. Screen in unknown mass.

15. Different view.

The following numbered descriptions correspond to photos taken on 2-19-14 and are marked 2014-048-2 on the photo CD.

1. Base area of the secondary entrance steps to the second level.


3. Lower landing area.


5. Steps upward to second level.


7. Opposite view.


9. Lower landing for stairway to third level.


11. Burned out steps to the third level.



14. Looking south along east second level corridor to porch and kitchen.

15. Above prior photo showing doorway to kitchen.


17. North lower area of the porch.


19. Middle and south areas of the porch.


21. South wall of the porch.


23. Wood lapboard on residence east wall under tar paper.


25. Lower doorway to east corridor.


27. South wall outlet.

28. Continuation of conductors to junction box.

29. Continuation.

30. Wires to junction box.

31. Junction box.

32. Wires for north box traveling north under roof, then down to outlet.


34. North outlet.

35. Close view.

36. South kitchen wall.


38. Right of photo 36.


40. Southwest quadrant of the kitchen.


42. Looking east through the south sector of the kitchen.


44. Left of photo 42.


46. Doorway to the north short corridor.


48. Lower bathroom.


50. Lower master bedroom.


52. Different view.

53. Opposite view.


55. Looking west at the lower south sector of the middle room.



58. Looking north along the middle room east wall.


60. Looking southeast across the middle room.


62. Looking northeast across the middle room.


64. Entertainment center.


66. Underside of the melted mass and the spring material from the sofa/love seat.

67. Outlet and switch boxes.

68. Switch box appears in good condition.

69. Outlet box’s center strip appears to have been melted.

70. Iron.

71. Plug for iron.

72. Face and side of old heater.

73. Line cord tied together.

74. Knots.

75. Twisted wires.

76. Other twisted wires.

77. Different view of the heater.

78. Controls.

79. Back side.

80. Line cord.

81. Plug.

82. Different view.

83. Light switch next to south door to kitchen from middle room.

84. Close view.

85. Different view.

86. Third level, lower doorway area to south room.


88. Looking west through the south room.


90. Closer view of the west sector.


92. Closer view of mattress.

93. Different view.

94. Box spring lying upside down.

95. Mattress on box spring.

96. Opposite side of mattress.

97. West sector of the north room.

98. Opposite view of the north room.

99. Small closet.

100. Another mattress.

101. Undamaged wood where insulation protected it.

102. Charred roof peak.

103. Charring above knee wall area.

104. Looking east across the upper stairwell.

105. Springs in middle room.

106. The north side of the large door opening.

107. Coil springs in the spring material.

108. Spring is annealed.

109. Other spring is annealed.

110. Bottom side of the melted mass.

111. Closer view.


113. Opposite side.


115. Underside of TV.

116. South love seat in west room.

117. Space between love seat and wall where old heater sat.

118. Closer view, no outlets.


120. Behind love seat.


122. North side love seat with east end of frame destroyed.

123. Hole in lower wall where outlet was located.


125. Opposite side of wall.



128. Electrical activity in middle strip of outlet box.



131. Closer view.


133. Nails for ceiling laths in middle room west section.

134. Laths remaining in the east sector.

135. Over view and Romex wiring in the south sector of the room above ceiling.

136. Continuation.

137. Closer view.

138. Header above large door opening between middle and west room.

139. Charred west sector in foreground with laths remaining in east sector.

140. Charred vs. undamaged areas of joists.

141. Overview.



144. Burning through the tongue and groove areas of the third level floor.

145. Wires traveling through east quadrant area.

146. Electrical box potentially for smoke detector above east end of the third level stairway.

147. Wires inside.




151. Main electrical feed up pipe chase into third level.


153. Pipes in pipe chase.

End of Photo Inventory

Sketch Legend

The following are descriptions for the various rooms in numbers and contents in capital letters relative to the second level sketch.

1. Main entrance stairway and landing 2. Entrance to apartment 2 3. Spare/storage room 4. West room 5. Middle room 6. Kitchen 7. Surviving children’s’ bedroom 8. Bathroom 9. Master bedroom 10. East enclosed porch 11. Stairway up to third level 12. Corridor servicing master bedroom, bathroom and kitchen 13. Secondary entrance stairway down

A. Love seat B. Desk C. Old space heater not plugged in D. Entertainment center E. Plastic children’s play area items F. Love seat/sofa (unknown) G. Speaker in wood box H. Vacuum cleaner I. Melted mass, unknown material

Sketch Legend The following are descriptions for the various rooms in numbers of the sketch of the third level on the following page.

1. Bedrooms 2. Mattresses 3. Wood stand with television on it. 4. Cushions 5. Walkway to north storage area behind knee wall 6. Storage areas behind knee walls 7. Box spring on edge 8. Small bathroom

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