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Online Nightly Newscast 2/8

Updated: Monday, 08 Feb 2010, 8:17 PM EST
Published : Monday, 08 Feb 2010, 8:17 PM EST

WPRI.com - Warwick's fire chief and the state fire marshal released new information Monday afternoon about a house fire that killed five people , including a seven-month-old baby, over the weekend.

At a news conference held at 4 p.m. at fire headquarters, officials said the fire started between the ceiling of the first floor and the floor of the second floor.

All four of the adult victims were found on the second floor. Investigators have also determined that there was at least one working fire detector located in the basement of the home.

"The second smoke detector was located on the second floor, and all I can tell you is that we will be doing electrical testing on that smoke detector, because the evidence that we have before us quite frankly lies in the statements of the first two firefighters. They reported that they did not hear any working fire detectors in the building," said State Fire Marshal Jack Chartier.

Investigators said they have a working theory on a cause, and have taken samples to the University of Rhode Island lab for testing, including the two smoke detectors found inside the home.

According the Chief Kevin Sullivan, there were two smoke detectors in the home, but it appears the detector on the second floor of the home never went off. Sullivan said it did not appear the fire was suspicious.

The cousin of former Red Sox player Rocco Baldelli, Dan Janik, 20, his girlfriend Amanda Villeneuve, 21, and their 7-month-old daughter Annabelle were killed in the fire Saturday.

"Dan, Amanda, and Annabelle were a family," family member Lisa Baldelli-Hunt. "Annabelle was their whole lives; she came into their world and they were thrilled."

Janik and Villeneuve's friends, 20-year-old Tayla Lackey of Glocester and 24-year-old Nicholas Jillson of North Smithfield, were also killed in the fire, officials said. Family and friends said the four attended Mount Saint Charles Academy in Woonsocket.

Jillson was the younger brother of Jeff Jillson, who played for the Providence Bruins and Boston Bruins. His father is North Smithfield Fire Chief Joel Jillson.

Fire crews said the victims were likely overcome with carbon monoxide while they slept , and never woke up.

Authorities say the investigation into a cause continues. Fire officials said once a cause is known the families will be the first to be notified.
 


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