1 Dead, 8 Hurt in Apartment Fire

One man died of smoke inhalation and eight other people were injured in a deliberately set $15,000 fire that swept up a stairwell in a three-story apartment building at 1501 W. Adams Blvd. early today, city fire officials said. One hundred people were evacuated in the 3:45 a.m. fire, which took 25 minutes to put out.

The dead man, identified as Vicente Martinez, 41, was found inside the building, police said. Six other injured were taken to area hospitals. Two men were reported to be in critical condition with burns. Four others are being treated for smoke inhalation and fractures suffered when they jumped from windows. Fire and police arson investigators said they have no suspects yet.