Fire investigators say someone intentionally started the fire on the front porch early Tuesday morning. Warren police officer Doug Hipple ran in to save the people inside, but the fire burned too fast.
"The heat and the smoke were so intense that he did not feel he could get the occupants down safely so he returned upstairs and went to the rear of the home where it was less smoke," Warren Fire Chief Ken Nussle said.
Flowers now lay in front of the home for his bravery, and for the other victims, three elderly mentally-challenged women. They all lived at the adult group home on Bonnie Brae.
"You had handicapped people here. This is a handicapped home. That's why it is so disturbing. Who would want to harm them in any manner is beyond me," Nussle said.
All day cars have been driving by the site, especially because no one believes an arson could happen here. "All there are are just those elderly ladies and the one housekeeper. So I just didn't think, I thought it was an accidental cigarette or something like that," Joe Lapmarado, a neighbor, said.
"They drove or rode in a school bus, and that's it. Just going on their front porch, and they'd always say hi to us," Denise Cano, a neighbor, said.
"The neighbors are good around here. And then to have an arson? It scares you because they could do it to our house and whatever else," Donna Lapmarado, a neighbor, said.
Officials are offering a $5000 reward for any information on who started the fire. Call Warren police or the fire department if you have any information.
