GREEN BAY (NBC 26) — A newly released fire investigation report is shedding more light on the deadly Howard house fire that killed twin sisters Haley and Kayla Fritsch last November.
The report, obtained by NBC 26 through a public records request, details the extensive damage inside the home, and additional evidence investigators recovered during the months-long investigation.
Investigators described the home as a split-level residence and noted that an upper bedroom section collapsed into the basement during the fire.
"The basement level exhibited more fire/explosion damage," Fire Investigator Captain Todd Coolman wrote in the report, adding that investigators concluded the basement damage ultimately resulted in the collapse of the second floor into the basement.
The report also provides new details about evidence investigators found throughout the home.
While examining debris, investigators recovered two melted red plastic gas cans. A third damaged gas can was later found in the basement, roughly two feet from where Kayla Fritsch was discovered.
According to the report, investigators noted a strong odor consistent with gasoline near the basement gas can. Lab testing later confirmed that gasoline was present in samples collected from the containers.
Investigators also documented concentrated gasoline odors on bedding and carpeting from upstairs bedrooms. Coolman wrote that a mattress, bed pad, and carpeting were removed from the home and placed on tarps outside for examination by an accelerant-detection canine.
The report states investigators learned the sisters purchased two gas cans and approximately 3.7 gallons of gasoline from a Howard convenience store the night before the fire, around 8:30 p.m. The first 911 call for the fire was made around 2:30 a.m.
Investigators also reviewed witness statements, body camera footage, utility records, and laboratory testing while examining several possible causes of the fire.
According to the report, neighbors consistently reported hearing an explosion before seeing flames coming from multiple parts of the home. The first investigators later documented what they described as evidence consistent with an explosion, including displaced windows, blown-out window frames, and sections of exterior walls that had been pushed outward.
Investigators considered whether a natural gas leak could have caused the explosion and fire, but ultimately ruled that possibility out.
"The above information does not support the hypothesis that ignition of fugitive natural gas, followed by a low-order explosion and subsequent fire," Coolman wrote.
Instead, investigators concluded evidence supported a different explanation.
"Three gasoline cans were found on different levels of the home and in locations inconsistent with normal storage or use," Coolman wrote.
The report states that investigators found evidence of ignitable liquids or ignitable-liquid containers in the basement, kitchen, living room, stairway, and upstairs hallway.
Based on those findings, investigators concluded that gasoline vapors had been intentionally introduced into multiple areas of the home before the explosion and fire occurred.
"Based on the information available at the time of the investigation ... the only logical explanation for the low-order explosion and subsequent fire is the ignition of ignitable vapors that were intentionally introduced into the home and in multiple noncommunicating locations within the home," Coolman wrote in the report's conclusion.
However, investigators said they could not determine exactly how the vapors were ignited.
The report states the vapors may have come into contact with an accidental ignition source or may have been ignited by the deliberate use of an open flame.
Officials previously announced they are confident no other people were involved in the fire.
The Brown County Sheriff's Office held a press conference about the new evidence on Tuesday, June 16.
"I don't think we will truly ever know what happened in that house," Sgt. Jody Breider, Brown County Sheriff's Office detective and Fire Investigation Task Force coordinator, said at the press conference. "The only two people who know what happened that night are Kayla and Haley."
Breider says they don't know how the gasoline ignited, and they are not speculating over exactly what happened.
“I spoke to the parents this morning, and this has kind of reintroduced the grieving process," he said.
Reacting to the new evidence, family members posted the following statement on Facebook:
"We are shattered and overwhelmed. We spoke directly with the lead fire investigator. They do not know exactly how the fire began. They/we know it was NOT suicide, as there was no notes, texts, calls. Kayla & Haley had future plans. They were suppose to come to our house for dinner and watch Survivor that night, they were going to watch the Gamblers in Madison on Sunday with Tasha, Kayla was the maid of honor for Katie & Curt’s wedding soon. They were happy and loved by many.
We can not begin to speculate what happened. BUT the tiny fine details don’t matter. The truth is that we lost our baby girls. We love them to infinity and beyond. We hope and pray they are together safe. We do not have the energy to answer questions or negative comments, but would like words of encouragement, support and love. We are still processing this devastating heartache and tragedy. We are forever grieving and heartbroken."
