Fire that killed teen intentionally set

CRYSTAL CITY, Mo. -- An investigation continues into the arson fire that killed an eastern Missouri teenager, police said Friday.

Darryl Kalas Jr., 18, was killed in a fire early Monday at Riverview Bend apartment in Crystal City. Firefighters initially thought the fire was sparked by candles used to light the apartment, which lacked electricity. But it was ruled arson after a flammable liquid was found.

The St. Louis Area Major Case Squad is looking into dozens of leads, said Crystal City Capt. Mark Tulgetske, who is leading the investigation.

"We haven't ruled out any possibility," he said.

Two brothers of the victim and his mother were staying in the nearby apartment of Kalas' grandmother at the time of the fire.

On Christmas Eve 1992, Kalas and one brother, Christopher, escaped another fire in a family apartment that killed his 15-month-old brother, Brandon. Investigators of that fire said it appeared a child playing with a cigarette lighter started the blaze. That child was not identified.