Fire Officials Address Speculation Over Fatal Blaze

Speculation has begun to surface in social media and the public, in general, about possible causes of the house fire that killed the Otto youngsters. A report in the Kansas City Star identifies a family member who lives in St. Louis as claiming she was told by someone from the Lake Ozark Fire District that a preliminary investigation indicates an ember from a nearby barbeque may have started the blaze. When contacted Monday night by KRMS News, Division of Fire Safety Spokesman Mike O’Connell replied saying discarded smoking materials, an elevated fire pit and a barbeque are among just a few of the possible causes that cannot be ruled. He says the fire appears to have started on the outside of the home and, likely, burned for some time before being discovered by a neighbor. O’Connell also says, at this time, the cause is listed as undetermined and non-criminal.