A woman seriously injured in an April fire at a group home for mentally challenged adults has died. Warren firefighters and family members tell us that 44-year-old Melissa Watson died at a local hospital Wednesday morning. The exact cause of death is pending
The arson, which broke out at the Bonnie Brae house April 28, injured Watson, two of her roommates and Officer Doug Hipple. Hipple entered the home in an attempt to rescue the women.
Hipple says his heart goes out to Watson's family and all of the victims. "It is a tragic event," Hipple said. "I wish it could have been avoided. For someone to set a fire to a group home is beyond comprehension."
No arrests have been made but firefighters and police are continuing to investigate. "We are going back through old leads and every day we find some new information and follow up on that," said Fire Investigator Jeff Koehn.
Anyone with information is asked to call Warren police at 330-841-2660 or the U.S. Marshall's Task Force at 1-866-4-WANTED. Police say anyone giving information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible could get at least a $7,000 reward.
