Tragedy has struck twice in St. Louis with two women dying in a fire, following a suspicious earlier fire at another property they owned. Authorities are now investigating both incidents, with a relative of the victims currently facing charges for the prior incident. According to KSDK, the fatal fire occurred on Kingsland Court in Dutchtown, a neighborhood in south St. Louis City, and the earlier fire was on Telford Drive in St. Louis County.
Ryan Larose, 31, has been charged with first-degree arson concerning the Telford Drive fire that took place on Saturday night before the fatal fire. A bond was set at $100,000 cash-only. It appears Larose had the opportunity to quickly make an escape from the scene. As FOX 2 News reports, surveillance footage showed LaRose leaving the home closely before smoke began emanating from it. Neighbors reported the victims as being sisters, and authorities have indicated both properties are under the same ownership.
The link between the fires has led police to treat the Kingsland Court incident as a potential homicide. Fire officials have pointed out similar patterns in both fires, with multiple points of origin and stoves turned on high. Local resident Phillip Reed described the dramatic efforts to save the trapped women, telling FOX 2 News, "Somebody else went inside to see if they could go in to see if they could help anybody, and the smoke was so thick." Both efforts alas, were in vain as the two women succumbed to their injuries after being rushed to the hospital.
According to court documents cited by KSDK, a relative was arrested the night of the Dutchtown fire. Larose is the grandson of one of the victims and had previously listed both homes as his residence. Following his arrest, he was reportedly uncooperative during the booking process.
The investigation continues as police and authorities work to piece together the circumstances leading up to the tragic and fatal events of both fires. As First Alert 4 reported, police have not yet been able to comment further, due to the ongoing nature of the investigation.
