Waukesha Man Pleads Not Guilty to Misdemeanor Charges from January Fire

The 29-year-old man who is accused of accidentally starting a Jan. 15 fire that displaced dozens of people made his initial appearance in Waukesha County Circuit Court Monday morning.

Ryan R. Pike pled not guilty to misdemeanor charges of negligent handling of burning materials and possession of drug paraphernalia. Pike was released on a $1000 signature bond and was ordered to have no contact with the apartment complex. The court hearing is scheduled for April 29.

Pike allegedly told police he had smoked a bowl of marijuana that morning and had placed the pipe on the TV next to a burning candle. Pike told police his child, who as taking a bath at the time, began yelling for help, so he jumped up and either knocked the candle over or threw the blankets toward the candle when he got up to assist his daughter, according to the complaint.

Pike told police that when he returned to the room he smelled smoke, opened the door and found the mattress full engulfed in flames, the complaint alleges.

The fire started at 212 W. North St. and flames quickly spread on the second and third floors of the 30-unit building. While no serious injuries were reported, the suspect was treated for smoke inhalation. At least one cat died in the fire.

The Waukesha Fire Department rescued seven people from the second and third floors of the apartment. The fire was captured by the Waukesha Police Department's OptiCop. of the fire was provided to Waukesha Patch by the police department.