PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Two people have been arrested and charged in connection with a devastating fire that ripped through a row home in Strawberry Mansion earlier this month and left three people, including two children, dead.
The fire, which officials ruled arson, broke out just before 5 a.m. on June 13 at a home on Corlies Street near West Cumberland Street. Crews rushed to the scene and said the house was fully engulfed in flames. As they worked to contain the blaze, five people were found inside — three children, a 54-year-old woman and a pregnant mother.
Two of the children, later identified as 6-year-old Assad Thompson and 4-year-old Alaya Thompson-Newell, died. Their mother, 32-year-old Ashley Thompson, who was eight months pregnant, also died.
The 54-year-old was hospitalized and is in stable condition. A 2-year-old was also taken to the hospital and is stable.
The house was charred inside and out.
Officials arrested 67-year-old Charles Sumpter and 44-year-old Fleitte Newell on Wednesday. Both are charged with multiple counts of murder and related offenses. At this time, the motive is unknown.