Suspect Held in Philadelphia Fires in Which 8 Died

An arsonist set fires that tore through two wings of an apartment complex today, and at least eight people died and 15 were hurt, officials said.

Frank A. Jordan, 20, who occasionally lived with his mother in a third, undamaged section of the building, was arrested and held without bail, charged with eight counts of murder, nine counts of arson, nine counts of risking a catastrophe and other charges, officials said.

Both fires began at about 2 a.m. in basement utility rooms of separate wings of the Latonia Apartments in northeast Philadelphia, said Roger Ulshafer, deputy chief fire marshal.

Residents said that there had been another fire in the complex recently and that death threats had been painted in a utility room.

Mayor W. Wilson Goode said: “It’s very, very suspicious, with the fire starting at the same time in two separate buildings. . . . It is so senseless.”