The Reporter covers Miller, Morgan and Camden County in Central Missouri's Lake of the Ozarks and is published once per week on Wednesdays.

 

The Compass Pointe Condominium building where four children lost their lives last week shows the extensive nature of the fatal fire. Notice the stairway in the middle, which was consumed by the flames cutting off access to the upper levels. The Missouri State Fire Marshal’s Office has concluded that the cause of the fire will remain “undetermined” due to the heavy damage to any potential evidence. (Reporter photo by Dale Johnson)

 

Published August 12, 2015

Cause of condo fatal fire may remain ‘undetermined’

By Jeff Thompson
OSAGE BEACH - The cause of a condominium fire that took the lives of four children August 4 has been deemed “undetermined,” according to the Missouri State Fire Marshal’s Office (MSFMO).

Osage Beach Fire Protection District (OBFPD) Chief Jeff Dorhauer stated the MSFMO reached the “undetermined” conclusion after an extensive onsite investigation and the heavy amount of damage in what is believed to be the area where the fire began.

“The area of origin appears to have been just outside the door into the unit where the four children lost their lives,” Dorhauer said. “This area of the structure sustained so much damage that evidence needed to positively identify the cause has been destroyed. Without this concrete evidence, the cause will remain undetermined.”

The names of the children - who were cousins and lake area residents - that died in the fire are:
Kairi Helton, two years old;
Zeza Bradshaw, two years old;
Lee Ann Hendrickson, four years old; and
Joshua Hendrickson, five years old.

In the aftermath of the fire, several fundraisers have been established to help the families that not only lost the lives of children but in some cases lost everything they had:

• A Hendrickson Memorial Fund has been set up at Central Bank of Lake of the Ozarks with cash or checks accepted at any branch location;
• An online fundraising website was created, Osage Beach Fire Tragedy, http://www.gofundme.com/n9v62cuc; and
• Heroes Sports Saloon in Osage Beach will hold a fundraiser Friday, August 14 from 6 to 10 p.m.

Batter’s Box in Lake Ozark already held such an event, accepting donations at the door last Sunday, August 9.

Dorhauer and Police Chief Todd Davis held a Wednesday morning press conference at City Hall to explain what had happened and to answer any questions the press might have.

The fire chief said OBFPD responded to a 911 call late Tuesday night of a possible structure fire at Compass Pointe Condominiums on Passover and Red Bud Roads.

“While en route to the call, (there were) additional reports of possible victims trapped in the building,” Dorhauer said.

By the time OBFPD personnel arrived approximately eight minutes later, the fourth floor was engulfed in flames breaking through the roof, according to Dorhauer.

Firefighters found two adults on the third floor hanging out a window.

“They successfully laddered the building and rescued those individuals,” Dorhauer said.

After being made aware of four children on the fourth floor, the fire chief stated the fire was too hot and the flames too high to make any initial entry into the building.

“Crews were able to douse the fire quickly,” Dorhauer said, allowing firefighters to make entry into the building where they discovered the four children.

“We brought the victims out and put them directly into an ambulance and they were transported to Lake Regional Hospital where at some point they were pronounced deceased,” Dorhauer said.

Police Chief Todd Davis said his officers arrived on the scene shortly before the OBFPD and began to evacuate the building; they later helped remove the victims.

“At that point my officers began assisting the fire department with what they could until additional resources arrived on the scene,” Davis said.

At the time, Davis could not release the names of the four children because not all of the next of kin has been notified. He did however give the ages of the children.

“They were cousins,” Davis said. “They were there celebrating one of the cousin’s birthday.”

The police chief added that the father of one of the children was at the residence but was unable to reach them; the mother was at work when the fire broke out.

Dorhauer said that weather (specifically lightning strikes during the evening) was not an originating factor for the fire and refused to speculate - while answering a reporter’s question - as to whether or not the children died of smoke inhalation.

An autopsy had been scheduled for later that day but results have not been released as of press time.

Dorhauer also sought to clarify that the fire investigation was not automatically a criminal investigation.

“Any time we have a death related to a fire it is our policy that we are required to bring the state fire marshal in for that investigation,” Dorhauer said. “We’re not discounting criminal but we’re not saying it’s suspicious, it’s just protocol to make sure the determination is correct.”

The fire chief added that smoke detectors did go off in the building which was over 30 years old.

“That building was built prior to building codes in this area - late 70s or early 80s - so there are no sprinkler systems in the building,” Dorhauer said.

Fire departments from Eldon, Camdenton and Lebanon as well as Mid-County, Sunrise Beach and Lake Ozark fire districts were on the scene along with the OBFPD.

In addition, personnel from Camden County Ambulance, Miller County Ambulance, Osage Beach Ambulance, Camden County Sheriff’s Department and the Missouri State Highway Patrol assisted in the incident.

Expressions of sympathy and support have been numerous and a makeshift memorial has been created for the four children at the base of the building with donations of toys, stuffed animals and flowers.

City Administrator Jeana Woods released a statement Wednesday morning.

“Tragedy hit Osage Beach this morning and on behalf of the city, the mayor and Board of Aldermen, our condolences to the family and loved ones of those lost in the early morning fire at Compass Point Condominiums,” Woods stated. “Our thoughts and prayers are foremost with their families and loved ones.”

Dorhauer also released a statement.

“I would like to take a moment to thank everyone who has taken the time today to text, e-mail or call expressing their concern and gratitude to my staff,” he said. “Your kind words and thoughts during this trying time will help in the process of dealing with this tragedy.”

The fire chief expounded on his gratitude and sympathy.

“Please accept my sincere thanks on behalf of this department and its staff,” Dorhauer said. “Please keep the victims in your thoughts and prayers as they begin their healing process.”

At the regular Board of Aldermen meeting Thursday night, Mayor Penny Lyons also offered her condolences on behalf of the city.

“Any loss of life is a tragedy,” Lyons said, “but losing the very young is almost too hard to comprehend.”

All content is Copyright 2015 by Reporter Publishing, L.L.C. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited without written permission.