A suspect has been arrested in connection with the Ingram Square fire in May that killed Firefighter Scott Deem and injured two other firefighters, one of them critically, News Radio 1200 WOAI reports.
Fire crews were called to the fire on May 18, and it quickly spread to three alarms.
39 year old Emond Johnson was arrested today.. He is expected to face murder and arson charged.. Officials say Johnson owned a business in the strip center and was attempting to get out of his lease.
Officials say Johnson owned a gym in the center where the fire started.. Firefighters first thought that the fire was electrical in origin, but there were inconsistances in Johnson's story.. They later found accellerent had been poured in a back room of the gym and ignited.
"One of the people our firefighters rescued that night turned out to be the person who started the fire," Fire Chief Charles Hood said. "That is ironic."
Investigators said Johnson was behind on his rent and facing eviction. He is charged with multiple felonies, including arson causing death and arson causing severe bodily injury, as well as a previous domestic violence complaint.