Apr 7, 2008 5:54 pm US/Eastern
Arson Suspected In Deadly Southie Fire
BOSTON (WBZ) ―
Investigators are trying to determine if a fast-moving fire that killed two sisters in their South Boston townhouse was deliberately set.
The 3-year-old and 14-year-old girls were trapped on the top floor of their triple-decker when the fire broke out just after 3 a.m. Sunday.
The names of the victims were not released by authorities pending positive identification, but neighbors identified the older girl as Acia Johnson, and her young sister as Sophia Johnson.
The girls' mother and brother were hospitalized with non-life threatening injuries.
Investigators returned to the scene Monday to try to determine how the blaze got started and why it spread so quickly.
There were reports that the girls' mother had been heard arguing with another woman before the fire.
On Monday, investigators were spotted taking out what could be evidence out of a nearby apartment.
WBZ has learned the Boston police homicide unit is also involved in the investigation.
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