The Delaware Office of the State Fire Marshal has determined that the early morning April 25, 2019 fire in Wilmington, Delaware that critically injured a 63-year-old occupant was intentionally started, said Assistant State Fire Marshal Michael Chionchio.
Chionchio said the Five Points Fire Company responded to the unit block of West Summit Avenue in the Elmhurst section of Wilmington around 1:30 am for a house on fire. Flames were evident from the front of the home when firefighters arrived on the scene. One female occupant was severely burned and was rushed to the Christiana Hospital Emergency Room. She remains at the Crozer-Chester Medical Center in critical condition.
State fire investigators have ruled that the fire was deliberately started at the house causing catastrophic damage to the occupied home and exposure damage to the neighbor’s house. The criminal arson investigation is in progress with deputy fire marshals following up on several investigative leads.
Anyone with information regarding this Arson is asked to contact Delaware Crime Stoppers at (800) TIP-3333 or State fire marshal investigators at (302) 323-5375.