Still no cause determined in fatal Chaffee fire

CHAFFEE, Mo. -- Fire officials haven't established the cause of a fatal June 22 house fire, Assistant Missouri State Fire Marshal Greg Carrell said Monday.

Investigators have classified the fire at 121 Black Ave., as undetermined as the investigation is still ongoing. They're conducting interviews in connection to the blaze that killed 21-year-old Andrew Biler and his toddler nephews.

Bryton Nicholson was 2 years old and his brother, Jaden, was 3. All three died of smoke inhalation, Scott County Coroner Scott Amick said the afternoon of the fire. A fourth person, Biler's mother and the toddlers' grandmother, was in serious condition following the fire.

Fire departments responded after 6 a.m. Wednesday to find the front of the structure engulfed. Biler's bedroom and a living room were in the front of the home. Chaffee Fire Chief Sam Glency said the day of the fire he believed the fire started in a back bedroom.

Pertinent address:

121 Black Ave., Chaffee, MO