We now know what sparked the fire that claimed the lives of 22-year-old Jeff Dailey and 26-year-old Tieka Jackson. Police say an eight-year-old boy was playing with a cigarette lighter when a blanket caught on fire. State Police brought the boy and his father back to the scene.They say he admitted to starting the fire. The coroner says both Dailey and Jackson died of smoke inhalation.Police say the boy will not face charges because he had no criminal intent. The fire was ruled an accident.  Jeff Dailey was remembered by his friends at East Stroudsburg University. WFMZ's Mike Lowe has more on that.
 

Jeff graduated in 2004 from ND of Green Pond  in District 11 and then went on to play at Cabrini College.. His freshmen year he was the PAC rookie of the year.  He transferred to East Stroudsburg University where last year on Nov. 8th he passed away in a house fire. He was inducted into the Lehigh Valley Basketball Hall of Fame.  They waved the 10 year wait after high school for him.   (Credit: Mark J. Wojciechowski)

 

[ NOTRE DAME HS REMEMBERS JEFF DAILEY ]  

Jeff Dailey was not on the roster of East Stroudsburg University's basketball team. But -- to hear the succession of players and coaches who spoke at a campus gathering today -- he'll always be one of their teammates

Bach: "I'll be going to those classes now with an empty chair next to me." >> Chris Bach was Dailey's best friend -- he says it's hard to belive he died in a fire yesterday. 
Bach: "I keep calling his phone just to listen to his voice." >> It will be Bach's voice delivering the eulogy at Dailey's funeral. 
Bach: "I just want to live for him everyday. I know he's looking down on me." >> Diane Wegener was a cheerleader at Notre Dame High School in Bethlehem Township when Jeff played there. 
"Just watching him play gave us all thrills." >
> Dailey was the school's all- time leading scorer. Wegener remembers a humble star. 
Wegener: "he would get so shy and clam up and get all red." >> Dailey began his college career at Cabrini ... but transferred to East Stroudsburg ... It was here that he made the wrenching decision to set down the basketball, and pick up the book bag. He stepped away from the game he loved so he could focus on his grades. 
"Jeff see's the overall picture. When he makes decisions with things that was the best decision for him." >> Friends say Jeff had no regrets. He never really left the game anyway. 
Dawud Lyons: "Everybody knew him on the team." >> 
Patrick Fleury: "I was kind of looking forward to playing with him because he was real talented." >> In some ways his spirit will remain on the basketball court ... 
"Both of the men's and women's basketball teams will dedicate their season's to him. In East Stroudsburg, Mike Lowe 69 news."

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