ATF: Sprinkler valve was off during 2017 fatal senior home fire

WEST CHESTER, Pa. (AP) - Federal officials investigating a 2017 fire at a Pennsylvania senior living community say the facility's main sprinkler valve had been turned off prior to a five-alarm fire that left four residents dead.

The final investigative report from the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosions was released Thursday.

Investigators say the November 2017 fire likely started near the patio area of a building at Barclay Friends Senior Living Community in West Chester.

Investigators say the fire spread easily up the vinyl siding and to the roof because of excessive wind. They also determined the indoor sprinklers did not come on during the blaze because the valve had been turned off.

Close to 150 people were evacuated by emergency personnel, neighbors and others. Four elderly residents were later found dead from smoke inhalation.