Woman Charged in Blaze that Killed Two DE Firefighters
Source Firehouse.com News
Police have arrested a woman who lived in the Wilmington home where two firefighters died over the weekend and she faces numerous charges.
Beatriz Fana-Ruiz, 27, has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder, one count of first-degree arson, four counts of second-degree assault and seven counts of reckless endangerment, the State Fire Marshal's Office said.
Fana-Ruiz told police she was on anxiety medication and drunk when she got angry, Wilmington News Journal reports. She started a fire in the basement of her step-mother's home early Saturday morning.
The rowhome was occupied by several people when the fire was discovered.
When firefighters arrived at the Lakeview Road scene just before 3 a.m., bystanders told firefighters people were trapped. It was later determined that all occupants escaped.
Lt. Christopher Leach, 41, and Senior Firefighter Jerry Fickes, 51, perished in the blaze.
Firefighters Ardythe Hope and Brad Speakman are still hospitalized.
Fire officials said Hope remains in critical, but stable condition while Speakman's condition has been upgraded to stable.
