ATF Confirms Deadly Md. Mansion Fire Caused by Electrical Issue

Five things we learned from the Annapolis mansion fire report, released today and compiled by Anne Arundel County fire investigators and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

1. The fire began when an electrical outlet ignited a Christmas tree skirt, which spread to the 15-foot Fraser fir tree.

As many as 15 strands of Christmas lights were plugged into a power strip, which was plugged into the floor outlet. The power strip and outlet were covered by a plastic sheet and blanket, which served as a tree skirt. There were dry tree needles on the skirt.

2. The lights on the 15-foot Fraser fir tree and 7-foot Douglas fir tree were kept on 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for six weeks.

The report shows that the two trees were in different areas in the house. The 15-foot Fraser was in the the Great Room, while the Douglas was in the bar area. The tree was installed at the home Dec. 8, and decorated by an interior decorator the following day. There were approximately 1,500 incandescent lights on the tree in strings of 100. The lights were kept on continuously.

3. The tree was slated to be removed the following day.

A particularly devastating note in the report shows that though the tree in the Great Room was steadily dropping needles and branches had started drooping, the Pyles decided to keep it for a while longer.

“Don and Sandy Pyle both wanted to keep the tree in the Great Room longer because they felt like they hadn't had a chance to enjoy it," the report reads. "However both trees had been scheduled to be removed for Tuesday, January 20, 2015.”

The fire began overnight on Jan. 19.

4. The victims' bodies were found in rooms throughout the home.

Don Pyle, the homeowner, was found in the Great Room, where the fire originated. Sandy Pyle, along with Wesley Boone, 7, and Kaitlyn, 7, were found in the guest bedroom near the stairs by the Great Room. Charlotte, 8 , was found in a guest bedroom next door to the room with Sandy and the two children. Alexis, 8, was found in a guest room across the foyer from the Great Room.

5. First- and second-floor smoke detectors first alerted the Pyles' home alarm company of the fire at 3:28 a.m.

The alarm company called the Pyles twice in the minute before they called 911 and reported smoke detector activations. Neighbors were quickly calling 911, including one at 3:33 and another who called Sandy Pyle's cell phone at 3:35 a.m.

By 3:40 a.m., a 911 caller from across South River called and said “the whole house is on fire.”

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