ITHACA -- Flowers line the top of the temporary fence outside 107 Cook Street in Ithaca and neighbors say the death of Brian Lo has shaken the tight knit Collegetown community.
"It really changes the environment and how you think about things. You kind of look around and if you didn't know the person specifically you possibly knew someone who knew that person and how it affects their life," said Ithaca Alderman Eddie Rooker.
On Tuesday night, Ithaca's Deputy Fire Chief told a neighborhood meeting that the investigation into last week's fatal fire was nearing a close. Investigators are still trying to determine who was cooking the food that they believe started the fire and why Brian Lo wasn't able to get out of the house.
"Just because of the circumstances, we believe that alcohol may been involved in the person cooking, it may have been involved in why Brian wasn't able to get out. It's speculative right now - we're really waiting fro the autopsy reports which will tell us a lot," said Deputy Fire Chief Tom Parsons.
Deputy Chief Parsons said the house on Cook Street was well maintained and had working smoke detectors but acknowledged many of the Collegetown houses that have been converted into apartments often have hidden structural issues or awkward access points. Landlords at the meeting pointed out that they have done their best to install fire escapes and comply with city codes.
Parsons also made a plea to all the college students to check their own detectors when they got home.
We have new details on a fire that killed a Cornell University student.
Ithaca City Fire Department Deputy Chief Tom Parsons says he believes alcohol may have played a role in the tragedy. However, he says autopsy results are not back yet, so investigators can't be sure.
Senior Brian Lo, 21, died when his off-campus apartment on Cook Street caught fire early Friday morning. Investigators believe the fire was sparked by food left on the stove.
Deputy Chief Parsons and Cornell officials spoke with the Collegetown Neighborhood Council Monday evening about safety concerns raised by the fire. Alex Dunbar was at the meeting. Tune in to NBC3 and CBS5 News at 11:00 for the latest details.
