P.I. tours site of deadly fire

WARWICK, R.I. (WPRI) - A private investigator Monday afternoon toured the Warwick home where five people were killed in a fire earlier this month .

Families for some of the victims argued for the right to conduct a private investigation in court last week. A judge agreed, and ruled on Thursday the probe could go forward.

The judge also granted the private investigator access to the Buttonwoods Avenue property. Lawyers for the victims' families said the investigator would not remove or test any evidence from the scene during Monday's visit.

As part of the agreement, local and state investigators will preserve and share any evidence they collect.

Five people died in the Feb. 6 fire. Fire officials said the victims - Dan Janik, his fiancee Amanda Villeneuve, their 7-month-old daughter Annabelle, Nick Jillson, and Tayla Lackey - all died from smoke inhalation.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation , though fire crews had said it did not appear to be suspicious.