Alarms Faulty During Fatal West Chester Fire: Report

WEST CHESTER, PA — The fire that led to four deaths at a senior home in West Chester last November was exacerbated by faulty alarms as well as sprinklers, lawyers for the families of victims told Philly.com.

Attorneys had already alleged last December that the sprinkler system at Barclay Friends Senior Center was responsible for the deaths, stating that an investigation showed the system did not activate when the fire began. Now, lawyers have added claims that an alarm system was also giving a false reading that the sprinklers were working, the report states.

Authorities with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, which is heading up the investigation, did not comment on the allegations and has not yet presented the findings of their investigation. Last December, they also did not comment directly on the allegations, and instead noted that they were at a "critical stages" of their investigation.

"The investigative agencies are united in wanting to make sure that we have all possible data before presenting the families, and then the public, with the results of our investigation," ATF Special Agent in Charge Donald Robinson said in a statement at the time.

The victims were 92-year-old Delores G. Parker and 88-year-old Thomas F. Parker, who were husband and wife. Two other women, Mildred E. Gadde, Theresa J. Malloy, were also confirmed dead. Their cause of death was listed as smoke inhalation.

The Nov. 16 fire displaced 137 residents and 15 staff members. A total of 133 residents were rescued.

For more information about the fire, see Patch's previous coverage below:

>>Remains Of Final 2 Victims Of Fire Found In Rubble In West Chester

>>4 Unaccounted For After Fire At West Chester Senior Home

>>Community Rallies After Devastating West Chester Fire

>>Massive Fire Destroys Pennsylvania Senior Living Facility: Video

Photo credit: Pete Bannan/Daily Local News via AP; WPVI-TV via AP