Police Say Franklin Fire Intentional

Jan. 14, 2003
A fire that destroyed a 12-bedroom home belonging to Aretha Franklin last year was intentionally set, investigators said.
BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) -- A fire that destroyed a 12-bedroom home belonging to Aretha Franklin last year was intentionally set, investigators said.

The Oakland County Prosecutor's Office is reviewing a report on the arson early Oct. 25 that burned through the singer's unoccupied, 10,000-square-foot home in this Detroit suburb.

``No one's in custody, but we believe we know who set it,'' Bloomfield Township Police Chief Jeffrey Werner told The Detroit News for a Tuesday story.

Prosecutor David Gorcyca told The Oakland Press of Pontiac that charges could be issued as early as Tuesday.

``There are three separate points of origin in one room in the house,'' Gorcyca said. ``The chemicals are similar to, and may be, lighter fluid. A known accelerant was used.''

Franklin, 60, primarily uses the house for storage and lives in another in the township. She was on tour at the time of the blaze.

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