AKRON -- Officials at a press conference just now announced the arrest of neighbor Stanley Ford, 58, of Hillcrest Street for the 693 Fultz Street fire that killed 2 adults and five children.
He was charged with one count of aggravated arson and seven counts of aggravated murder.
Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan, interim State Fire Marshal Jeff Hussey, and authorities from the Akron police and fire departments provided the updates.
Ford is a neighbor of the family. His home was searched days after the deadly fire took place.
Community reacts to news that neighbor Stanley Ford has been charged in connection with the deadly Akron house fire on Fultz Street. @wkyc pic.twitter.com/qlZtLyGuKe
— Amani Abraham (@AmaniAbraham) May 23, 2017
Investigators are reviewing another arson case that occurred nearby the Fultz Street home about a year ago that killed two people.
Investigators have not determined if the arson cases are related.
The latest fire, which happened May 15, took the lives of father Dennis Huggins, mother Angela Boggs, Cameron Huggins, Alivia Huggins, Kylle Huggins, Daisia Huggins and Jered Boggs.
A sixth child, 18-year-old Brittany Boggs, was not home at the time of the fire.
“This is a devastating tragedy for our community,” Horrigan said. “The safety of our residents is my top priority, and I vow to do everything in my power to ensure that justice is achieved for these victims and their families.”
“The loss of life can never be replaced, but through the collaboration of state and local officials, we can bring to justice the man responsible for this horrific incident,” said Hussey. “We will continue working with all agencies involved to see this case through until the end.”
Anyone with additional information relating to this fire is encouraged to call the State Fire Marshal’s Fire & Explosion Investigation Bureau tip line at 800-589-2728.
Watch Tuesday's press conference of the announcement below.