January 19, 2010

An investigation into a fire that destroyed a Charlottesville home has turned into a criminal investigation.

Fire Marshal W.A. Hogsten said he suspects arson destroyed the home of a woman and her two children. The prime suspect, Hogsten said, is the children's father.

The woman, who lives at 501 Rives Road, was not at home with her two young children at the time of the fire. Hogsten said they believe it was the children's father who started the blaze.

"We dug through the rubble, and we identified three points of origin," Hogsten said. "We submitted evidence to the Virginia State Crime Lab, and then we started conducting interviews."

Hogsten further said he thinks the suspect did not act alone. They have other persons of interest in this case that may be accomplices.

"We have a prime suspect and we also have other persons who were an accessory to the investigation," Hogsten said.

The fire did not just destroy the home -- it also damaged the one next door. The neighbor was sleeping at the time of the fire and had to be woken up to escape the flames. Behind the home, a row of townhouses were also in danger because of its flammable vinyl siding.

"It was about 30 seconds away from igniting," Hogsten said.

Just hours before the fire, officers received a 911 call to the residence for a domestic dispute. But it wasn't the first call for such an incident at the address.

Hogsten confirmed that officers have responded to numerous calls for domestic disputes over the years.

If you have any additional information regarding this case, Hogsten urges you to call Crime Stoppers at 434-977-4000.