Deadly Ohio Fire Ruled Arson

According to the Cleveland Plain Dealer, last month’s fire that killed nine people has been determined to be an arson.

Cleveland Mayor Jane Campbell told the newspaper that investigators ruled the fire that resulted in the deaths of eight children and one adult was set on purpose.

Fire officials originally reported the blaze as an accident but subsequent tests showed the presence of a liquid accelerant, according to the newspaper.

Emergency personnel arrived at the scene of the fire in less than five minutes of the first report approximately 3 a.m. May 21, but the first floor of the house was engulfed in flames.

All of the victims were discovered on the second floor of the house. A 22-year-old woman survived but was badly burned. Another person escaped the house without any injuries unharmed. Neither is reportedly a suspect.