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Update:
KETV.com
Records: Man Seen Burning Paper Before Fatal Frat-House Fire
April 16, 2007
LINCOLN, Neb. -- A man charged with attemped arson related to a fatal fraternity fire in Lincoln was seen lighting a fire on the night in question.
Lincoln police arrested three people Friday in connection with a fatal fraternity fire last fall at the Phi Kappa Tau house at Nebraska Weslyan University. The Lincoln Police Department said Jed C. Tompkins, 22, and Lance N. Daharsh, 21, were cited and released on suspicion of hazing. Brandon W. Lovegrove, 22, was jailed on suspicion of attempted first-degree arson, hazing, illegal possession of fireworks and unlawful throwing of fireworks. He bonded out.
Ryan Stewart, 19, was killed in the blaze.
The charges are not related to the death, authorities said.
Court documents show that Lovegrove was seen by a fellow fraternity member lighting a calendar and tossing it into a hallway at about 3:30 a.m. on the morning of the fire. It was later that a fire at the house was called into the Lincoln Fire Department.
The witness told police that he was able to get the burning calendar to a concrete stairwell, where he was able to put it out. Court documents show that Lovegrove took no steps to put out the fire.
Lovegrove later admitted to investigators that he set the calendar on fire and said he doesn't know why he did it, records show.
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