News » Local

Still No Answers To Willows Fire

By Scott Sarvay
June 18, 2010 Updated May 19, 2009 at 9:47 PM EST

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (Indiana's NewsCenter) - It's been nearly four months and still no answers.

Attorneys representing the parent company of the Willows of Coventry apartments, International Business College and a Winimac, Indiana family are suing the city of Fort Wayne.

They want records pertaining to the January fatal fire.

Lawyers representing the parties say the city isn't providing documents they need for their own investigations.

Shortly after 5 a.m., January 23rd, Fort Wayne fire crews responded to the Willows where the lives of three young women, all International Business College students, died as a result of the fire.

Now, nearly four months later, the cause of that blaze is still unknown.

Lawyers representing the apartments, the school, and the family of Jennifer Spurgeon are conducting their own investigations.

They had been collecting evidence before the burnt building was demolished, but they still need certain documents like photographs, videos, 911 tapes and other audio recordings related to the fire to complete their investigations.

Lawyers representing the parties submitted a request for those items March 11.

On March 23 city officials agreed to provide the incident report but nothing else, saying the other materials like 911 tapes and communication between dispatch and fire officials are part of the on-going investigation.

Lawyers then challenged the city's response citing Indiana code that investigatory records are defined as "information compiled in the course of the investigation of a crime."

But fire department officials maintain, "foul play is not believed to be involved."

Lawyers for the petitioners argue not only are the records not part of a criminal investigation, but should be released under public record.

Lawyers for the city have declined to comment.

At this time no court date has been set, but we will follow the case closely and have more when it develops.



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