That's what came to my mind also.
final report:
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/christmas-tree-ignited-fatal-annapolis-mansion-fire-article-1.2095123
Homeowners Don and Sandra Pyle, along with four of their grandchildren, perished as the blaze tore through the $9 million mansion early Jan. 19 while they were asleep, fire officials said. An electrical fire is believed to have ignited the family’s 15-foot Christmas tree in the home’s ‘great room,’ which was connected to the bedrooms.