Fire at Pike House Claims Brothers Life in St. Louis

Pike House Fire Ruled Accidental

A fire at the University of Missouri-St. Louis' Pi Kappa Alpha that claimed the life of one brother as been called "a tragic accident," according to local fire captain Ron Fritz.

"We know the fire started at the couch," Fritz said. "We are still thinking it was started by a cigarette. We know it wasn't electrical, and there are no signs of any accelerants at the house." The captain also said he didn't believe any foul play was involved in the fire.

The most troubling part of the incident according to firefighters was that the house was inspected 3 months prior to the fire in which several infractions. Firefighters found extinguishers that needed to be charged, and that every smoke detector in the house seemed to be disconnected. Firefighters did say that they believe the infractions were corrected by the time of the actual fire.

Fritz mentioned that he hoped the Pikes and other Greek organizations at the campus learned a lesson about fire prevention and safety from the tragedy.