Officials Confirm Fatal Annapolis Mansion Fire Started Near Christmas Tree

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (WJZ) -- It burned too hot and too fast. Four grandchildren and their grandparents never had a chance to escape. That's the finding of a final report into January's mansion fire in Annapolis.

Alex DeMetrick has the grim details into the final report of the fire.

This report was several months in the making, but investigators knew early on the likely cause of the devastating fire.

Donald and Sandra Pyle's 16,000 square foot mansion had water views along Childs Point Road in Annapolis. Inside, it had been decorated for the holidays. On January 19, their Christmas tree ended everything.

"It's believed that the fire started in an outlet that was located underneath the tree. The fire spread to a tree skirt and then was fueled by the Christmas tree," said Captain Russ Davies, Anne Arundel County Fire Department.

Those findings were released in a final report by Anne Arundel County fire and the ATF. The early morning fire trapped the Pyles and their four grandchildren inside. Neighbors calling 911 had no idea.

The report states Donald Pyles' body was found near the Christmas tree. The remains of Sandra Pyles were found in one of the guest rooms being used by their four grandchildren.

"And flames shot way up high in the sky above the tree line. And I thought, 'Oh my god,'" said Azalea Leckszas, neighbor.

The report's timeline shows at 3:28 a.m., the home alarm was monitored by a security company.

At 3:32 a.m., Anne Arundel fire was dispatched.

At 3:40 a.m., fire units arrived on scene.

At 3:42 a.m., a second alarm is ordered.

At 3:43 a.m., a third alarm.

It took until 7:07 a.m. to bring it under control.

READ: FINAL REPORT - Childs Point Road Fire

It burned fast because the tree burned fast. ATF tests of trees similar to the mansion's produced intense heat because of how dry they became after several weeks inside.

"The fire spread to furniture that was in the great room and to other areas of the great room, and it was a very rapid fire progression," said Davies.

So rapid, the report concludes it became impossible to escape, and ultimately, all six fell victim to the fire.

According to people interviewed by investigators, the Christmas tree was due to be taken down January 20—the day after the fire happened.

The report estimates the dollar loss from the fire at between $16 million and $18 million.