NATION : Dog Set Afire, Starts Fatal Blaze
A 3-year-old girl and her 2-year-old brother died in a house fire that relatives said was started when the family dog, soaked with fuel, was set afire and ran into the home, a fire official said today.
Allegheny County Fire Marshal John Kaus said relatives told investigators they suspected someone poured kerosene on the dog and then lit it. The dog also died in the pre-dawn blaze.
The county coroner’s office identified the victims as Charita Thornhill, 3, and Montele, 2. A relative, 15-year-old Andre Robinson, broke an ankle leaping from the house, authorities said.
Firefighters said the hillside home was engulfed in flames when they arrived at about 2:30 a.m. and their efforts were hampered by about 40 steps leading to the three-story house.
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