4 Missouri fire deaths investigated as possible homicides

Published February 21, 2016

Feb. 20, 2016: A firefighter puts out a hot spot at the home 4170 Buena Vista Road in Edgerton, Mo. (Jessica A. Stewart/St. Joseph News-Press via AP)

The deaths of four people in a northwest Missouri fire are being investigated as possible homicides, but there are no suspects, authorities said Saturday.

The fire at a rural home south of Edgerton in Platte County was reported just before midnight Friday. Sheriff's Capt. Erik Holland said the house was fully engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived.

"Based on some of the preliminary investigation by the sheriff's office and the state fire marshal, we have determined that there are suspicious situations around the burning of the building and the deaths of the four individuals," Holland said Saturday. "We're going to treat this investigation as a homicide at this point in time."

Investigators including the state fire marshal and medical examiner were at the scene Saturday.

Two adult females, a third adult and an infant died in the fire. Holland said investigators haven't been able to determine whether two of the victims were male or female because of the extent of their injuries.

Authorities were going through what's left of the single-story, ranch-style home to determine if other victims were inside.

Sheriff Mark Owen said there was no time frame for releasing the victims' identities. He said there were no suspects yet.

"Our officers know the people that live here, and, of course, any time you have tragedy with a loss of life, let alone three and an infant, it's a rough day," Owen said.

Brenda Wilder, who works at Harner's Cafe in Edgerton, said she knows the family who lived in the house.

"It's devastating. When something like this happens, the whole town is crushed," she said.

URL

https://www.foxnews.com/us/4-missouri-fire-deaths-investigated-as-possible-homicides