COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- Five of the 10 people killed in an apartment arson fire were identified Tuesday after authorities completed a two-week process that involved DNA testing.
Franklin County Coroner Brad Lewis identified the victims as Ismael Noriega Arenas, 36; his wife, Linda Mejia Diaz, 24; and their three children, Jose Guadalupe Noriega-Mejia, 6; Jesus Antonio Noriega-Mejia, 2; and Ismael Enrique Noriega-Mejia, 18 months.
The identities of the other five victims haven't been confirmed. Family and friends have said three members of the Mejia family and two family friends also died in the fire on Sept. 12 in a two-bedroom apartment that all the victims shared.
No arrests have been made.
All 10 of the Mexican immigrants died of burns and smoke inhalation, but their injuries were too severe for visual identification or fingerprinting, and dental records weren't available.
``If possible we'll use fingerprints or dental records. The DNA is always last resort,'' Lewis said.
The state Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation used DNA samples from the victims' bodies to determine the relationship between the couple and their children.
Lewis said authorities are awaiting DNA samples from family members in Mexico to confirm the identities of the other victims.
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