Deadly Prank Kills Bradley U. Student in House Fire

Four college students were charged on Monday in connection with a prank that started a fire that killed a Bradley University classmate in an off-campus house, the Associated Press reported. The students, three at Bradley and one at nearby Illinois Central College, are accused of setting off two roman candles — small firework-like devices — early Sunday morning, after a night of drinking, prosecutors said. The students apparently intended to frighten Sheridan (Danny) Dahlquist, a friend and teammate on Bradley’s soccer team, and make him run outside in his underwear. Instead, the roman candles ignited a blaze so intense that they were unable to rescue Mr. Dahlquist, who was 19. He died of smoke inhalation, and the four students face charges that could land them in prison for decades. —Andrew Mytelka