Six Danes killed in Easter weekend fire

Swedish police continue to investigate holiday tragedy that left four adults and two children dead

Swedish police continue to investigate the cause of the fire that claimed the lives of six Danes at a rustic cottage in Tidaholm, Sweden.

Police said that foul play was not suspected and that they were focusing on the cottage’s fireplace and the possible use of candles. The building, which was completely destroyed, had no electricity or plumbing.

Malene Houdorf Madsen, her husband Hans Vt Veer and their two daughters, Nanna and Sarah died in the fire. Mikkel Keiser-Nielsen and his new wife also perished in the flames.

The fire apparently started late Saturday night or early Sunday morning, but was not discovered until later on Easter morning. The building's remains were still too hot for investigators to examine until later that evening. 

Swedish authorities said there is nothing left of the building, making it nearly impossible to dtermine the exact cause of the fire.

One investigator speculated that the victims died of smoke inhalation while they slept. There were no smoke alarms in the building.




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