Key findings in report on Stamford Christmas fire

(AP) -- A look at some of the key findings in the report of State's Attorney David Cohen on the fatal Christmas Day fire in Stamford, Conn.:

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SMOKE DETECTORS: Neither the survivors of the fire or any neighbors reported hearing any smoke detectors on the morning of the fire. Smoke detectors had been installed but were not connected to the electrical system of the house. Cohen said five or six battery-operated smoke detectors had been installed, but there was no consensus on how many alarms were present and whether they had been removed or disabled. "In this area there are very few undisputed facts," Cohen said.

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CITY FAULTED: Cohen said his investigation was hampered by actions of Stamford city officials. The house was demolished before investigators could determine whether smoke detectors were present in the debris, and he said police and state prosecutors should be consulted before demolition is authorized in future cases. He said the local fire marshal should notify the state fire marshal's office before relinquishing the scene.

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ASHES REMOVED: Ashes removed from the fireplace and left in a mudroom were identified as the cause of the fire. Michael Borcina, a friend of the home's owner, shoveled the ash into a paper bag around 3:30 a.m. and smoothed them with his hand. The owner, Madonna Badger, said this allayed any concerns she might have had about live embers.

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CONSIDERATION OF CHARGES: Cohen declined to pursue criminal charges, saying there wasn't evidence to establish that Borcina or Badger were aware of and disregarded the risk of a live ember starting a fire. He said a manslaughter charge would have required evidence that they consciously disregarded such a risk, and it would stretch belief to think they would go to sleep in the house knowing of the danger.