Officials: Fatal blaze accidental
Published 5:00 am Thursday, October 7, 2004
A fire that killed a Jayess man Sunday has been ruled accidentalfollowing an investigation by fire officials.
Daryl Anton, 33, of 4185 Ard Trail, was found in the backbedroom of his home by Topeka and Ruth volunteer firefighters.
Anton’s body was sent to the state medical examiner’s office foran autopsy by Lincoln County Deputy Coroner Robert Tyler, who cited”suspicious circumstances.”
An investigation by the state Fire Marshal’s Office and theLincoln County Sheriff’s Department has determined the cause of thefire to be accidental, however, and preliminary reports from themedical examiner’s office indicate Anton died from smokeinhalation.
“We determined it was an accidental fire that started in theliving room area,” said Capt. Dustin Bairfield, an arsoninvestigator with the sheriff’s office.
According to Bairfield, the source of the fire was near a couchin an area of the home that has had electrical problems in thepast.
“I haven’t seen (the fire marshal’s) official report yet, but ithas been ruled accidental and probably electrical. There wasnothing there to indicate arson,” he said.
While conducting the arson investigation, investigators alsotried to reconstruct Anton’s movements Saturday night to determinewhat may have happened to him, Bairfield said.
According to witnesses, he said, Anton had been up all nightSaturday and come home early Sunday morning, retiring almostimmediately to the bedroom to go to sleep.
Anton’s movements were important during the investigationbecause there were several unusual factors “that threw up red flagsthat made (the fire) look suspicious,” Bairfield said.
For instance, he said, the back door had been nailed shut and alocked padlock found on the front door.
During the course of the investigation, investigators discoveredrelatives and others knew of the doors and it was normal for themto be that way, Bairfield said.
A grass fire in the past year had damaged the back of thetrailer, and the family had nailed the door shut for security, hesaid. At the front door, the lock had broken, and the padlock hadbeen placed there to make it appear that the door was locked untilthey could make repairs.
“It didn’t appear to be right, but it was OK,” he said.
Bairfield commended the volunteer firefighters on theirdiligence and observation while fighting the fire.
“It’s good on their part to notice things like that and let usknow,” he said. “It could mean the difference between investigatinga death by natural causes or as a homicide.”
The fire was discovered and reported Sunday morning by people ontheir way to church for worship services.