Cause of fire that killed 4 Missouri boys 'undetermined,' but some factors considered, report says
By Kaitlyn Schwers
kschwers@kcstar.com
June 14, 2018
Investigators weren't able to determine what caused a fire that killed four brothers near Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri, but they have a couple guesses as to what may have contributed to the blaze, according to a report released this week.
The four boys were home alone when a fire destroyed their home in the early morning hours of April 19 in Lake Ozark. Firefighters found the bodies of Tyler Otto, 14; Cason Otto, 8; Max Otto, 5; and Levi Otto, 4 as well as two pets.
Fire officials had said in April the cause of the fire may never be determined due to the extent of the damage, but in its report this week, the state fire marshal's office said either a discarded cigarette or an errant spark from a fire pit or grill could have started the fire, according to KRCG.
Investigators interviewed the boys' mother, Christina Brazil, and her boyfriend, Mike Andrews, for the report. The two had pulled up to the burning home as firefighters worked to put out the flames on April 19.
According to KMIZ, Brazil told authorities they had used an ashtray sitting on their wooden deck for smoking.
Andrews also said the family had used the barbecue grill and fire pit on the deck the night before during a cook-out with family and friends, Lake News Online reported.
A preliminary investigation after the fire indicated an ember from a nearby barbecue pit could have started the blaze. Andrews told authorities he threw water over two burning logs before he left with Brazil that night to go to a bar, according to KRCG.
While they were out, Andrews said they tried to call the 14-year-old on his cellphone, but were unable to reach him. It's unclear what time the call was placed, Lake News Online reported.
"A discarded cigarette, spark from the fire pit or BBQ grill were all unable to be eliminated as a cause of the fire," the report concluded, according to KMIZ. "This fire is therefore classified as being undetermined in nature."
The home where the four Otto children died early Thursday morning in a house fire in Lake Ozark, Mo. ALLISON LONG along@kcstar.com
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Four brothers home alone killed in Lake Ozark house fire
By Matt Campbell
mcampbell@kcstar.com
Updated April 20, 2018 08:14 AM
Four brothers who were home alone were found dead after an early morning fire destroyed a house Thursday in Lake Ozark, Mo.
The children were identified as 14-year-old Tyler Otto, 8-year-old Cason Otto, 5-year-old Max Otto and 4-year-old Levi Otto.
'They were her life.' Missouri mom sees her house burn with her four sons inside
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The School of the Osage posted on its Facebook page Thursday that it "is saddened today about the loss of four of our students in a house fire early this morning. Additional counseling support is available for students impacted."
Firefighters from the Lake Ozark Fire Protection District were dispatched at 12:51 a.m. and arrived at 1 a.m. to find the house at 1636 Carol Road engulfed in flames. They were unable to enter. Parts of the single-story structure had collapsed, and the heat was so intense the fire spread to the neighboring house.
Neighbors said the residents' vehicle was gone, so they thought no one was home. Fire officials said the children's mother and a man arrived home and told firefighters that four children were in the house.
When firefighters were finally able to enter the home they found the bodies of all four children and two pets. Autopsies on the children this week will determine the causes of death.
At a press conference Thursday afternoon, fire officials said the cause of the fire may never be determined because the damage is so extensive, but they said there was no reason to suspect it was deliberately set. Because of the time of day, the fire probably went unnoticed for some period of time. Gusty winds off the lake probably contributed to the growth of the fire.
Firefighters did not locate any smoke detectors, but they may have been destroyed in the flames, officials said.
The Osage Beach, Sunrise Beach, Eldon and Rocky Mount fire departments assisted in fighting the blaze. The Missouri State Fire Marshal's office will continue to investigating.
Lake Ozark is about 135 miles southeast of Kansas City.