Authorities say arson is not suspected in a fatal fire that claimed three lives in a Fond du Lac group home for the mentally disabled. Firefighters were called to the scene Thursday morning at 613 South Military Road. Fire Chief Pete O’Leary says the victims were found in bed, apparently unaware the house was on fire. “Based upon what our investigators have said to us, they found the victims, they were in bed, that they weren’t aware of the fire,” O’Leary told WFDL news at the scene. “The fire did spread very, very rapidly. I don’t know that the victims ever had a chance to get out.” O’Leary says at this point he’s unsure if there were working smoke alarms in the house. Regardless, he says it’s a reminder to make sure the smoke alarms are working in your house. “Its just a horrible, horrible event and we’re two weeks away from Fire Prevention Week. We talk about fire prevention and having early detection devices, having plans to get you and your family and people you care about out of buildings. Every one of use has the same risk of a fire.”
