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Video related to this article is available below.Issue date: 2/16/07 Section: News
Officials declare 41st St. house fire arson
Fire Marshal's office determines that fire was intentionally set; police investigation is ongoing
Emily Babay
The fire that gutted a house located at 210 S. 41st St. on Jan. 27 was deliberately set, Philadelphia Fire Department Executive Chief Daniel Williams said yesterday.
Based on evidence from the scene of the fire and information yielded from interviews with residents, the Office of the Fire Marshal determined the cause of the fire to be incendiary - meaning the blaze was intentionally ignited and will be handled as a case of arson going forward - Williams said.
Arson is defined as a "fire that has been intentionally set with malicious intent," according to Williams.
The house burned down on the early morning of Jan. 27, forcing its eight occupants - all Penn students - to evacuate. They have since found new housing.
Williams did not elaborate on the specific evidence that led to the determination that arson was committed, but he said fire officials had "ruled out all accidental causes."
There were no problems with the gas, electricity or other utilities in the building that could have started the blaze, Williams said.
He added that there is currently no evidence that points to a specific perpetrator.
After the cause of a fire is established as incendiary, the case is handed over to the police for further investigation, Williams said.
"Once it is determined to be an intentionally set fire, it is still an open investigation," he added.
The case is being handled by the Philadelphia Police Department. Penn Police are not involved in the investigation, Division of Public Safety officials said.
Police officials are currently interviewing neighborhood residents in order to see who may have been responsible for setting the fire, Lt. John Walker of the Philadelphia Police said.
Until the interviews are completed and police officials finish their review of the fire marshal's report, it is difficult to say how long the investigation will last, Walker said.
He added that conclusions are often hard to find in arson cases.
Based on evidence from the scene of the fire and information yielded from interviews with residents, the Office of the Fire Marshal determined the cause of the fire to be incendiary - meaning the blaze was intentionally ignited and will be handled as a case of arson going forward - Williams said.
Arson is defined as a "fire that has been intentionally set with malicious intent," according to Williams.
The house burned down on the early morning of Jan. 27, forcing its eight occupants - all Penn students - to evacuate. They have since found new housing.
Williams did not elaborate on the specific evidence that led to the determination that arson was committed, but he said fire officials had "ruled out all accidental causes."
There were no problems with the gas, electricity or other utilities in the building that could have started the blaze, Williams said.
He added that there is currently no evidence that points to a specific perpetrator.
After the cause of a fire is established as incendiary, the case is handed over to the police for further investigation, Williams said.
"Once it is determined to be an intentionally set fire, it is still an open investigation," he added.
The case is being handled by the Philadelphia Police Department. Penn Police are not involved in the investigation, Division of Public Safety officials said.
Police officials are currently interviewing neighborhood residents in order to see who may have been responsible for setting the fire, Lt. John Walker of the Philadelphia Police said.
Until the interviews are completed and police officials finish their review of the fire marshal's report, it is difficult to say how long the investigation will last, Walker said.
He added that conclusions are often hard to find in arson cases.
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Dianne Smith
posted 2/16/07 @ 10:43 AM EST
My son was one of the residents of 210 S. 41st Street. As a parent living in Dallas, TX; what is our recourse to remain in the loop for updates and what action if any do we need to take to insure the safety of our son?
Dianne Smith
John Smith
214-533-6325
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