911 Calls Released In Annapolis Mansion Fire

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (WJZ)-- Newly released 911 calls give us a glimpse of the first minutes after an Annapolis mansion went up in flames killing a couple and four grandchildren.

Derek Valcourt has more on the 911 calls and the ongoing investigation into what caused the blaze.

An alarm company was the first to call 911 followed by a neighbor.

911: "Fire and ambulance. Exact location of the emergency?"

Caller: "It's my neighbors house….. their house is on fire I happen to look outside."

911: "Ok."

Caller:"And the flames, I don't know if anybody's called, but I mean, the whole house is one fire."

911: "Is anybody inside?"

Caller: "I have no idea."

By the time fire fighters made it to the 16,000 square foot mansion it was too late. Tech Executive Don Pyle, his wife Sandy, and their four visiting grandchildren died.

It took days for investigators to determine an electrical failure caused a small fire that spread to the family's 15 foot tall Christmas tree.

"The fuel load from the Christmas tree itself is what created the significant amount of fire and heat to cause the fire to spread as quickly as it did," said Deputy Chief Scott Hoglander, of the Anne Arundel County Fire Department.

Fire officials believe the tree had been cut more than 60 days before the fire.

Last month WJZ showed you how it takes just 15 seconds for a dried out tree to become fully engulfed in flames, experts warn the drier a tree is the faster it burns.

"As people are leaving the tree in the house longer and longer and it's continuing to dry out that's when we see an uptick in the number of these fires. So throughout January we continue to see these fires each year," said Isaac Leventon, University of Maryland  Doctorate Candidate.

On average, 230 Christmas tree fires each year in this country cause several deaths, multiple injuries, and $18 million in damages.

About a third of those fire caused by electrical problems as fire investigators indicate was the case here.

Fire protection experts say the flames may have been slowed had the house been equipped with sprinklers, but that was not the case. That is something now required by state law in all new homes.

The family of the victims has asked for privacy and issued a statement thanking fire investigators, first responders and members of the community for their support.