Resident charged with murder, arson in deaths of 2 Wilmington firefighters
WILMINGTON, Del. (WPVI) -- A resident has been charged with murder and arson following the house fire that took the lives of two Wilmington firefighters.
Beatriz Fana-Ruiz, 28, lives at 1927 Lakeview Road, where the fire occurred Saturday, investigators say.
Beatriz Fana-Ruiz is charged with two counts of first-degree murder for the deaths of two firefighters, four counts of second-degree assault for the injuries to the other firefighters, seven counts of reckless endangerment because her stepmother, step-siblings and other children were in the house, and one count of first-degree arson.
According to court documents, Fana-Ruiz told investigators on the night of the fire she was drunk and on anxiety medication when she became angry. She went down into the basement and set the fire.
Two witnesses told investigators they saw Fana-Ruiz go down to the basement just before they noticed the smoke and flames.
A source tells Action News, Fana-Ruiz is the stepdaughter Missy Napier who lived in the rowhome with her five children.
Heavy smoke and flames began pouring from Napier's home before 3 a.m. Saturday.
News of Fana-Ruiz's arrest and the charges stunned neighbors, although some said they thought Fana Ruiz was acting strange after the deadly blaze.
"I am just shocked. I am just really shocked. But I had a gut feeling that something was going on. It was not clear what was going on in the neighborhood by her demeanor, by her actions that day," said Carol, neighbor.
Firefighters arrived on the scene early Saturday morning and had received reports that people were trapped.
They rushed in. The floor beneath them collapsed.
Senior Firefighter Jerry Fickes, 51, and Lieutenant Christopher Leach, 41, were both killed.
Firefighters Ardythe Hope and Brad Speakman remain hospitalized.
Hope is still in critical condition, but stable condition. Speakman is improving.
"It's sad because we thought it was just an accident, but who knows. Nobody knew what really happened until now, and it's sad because two firefighters lost their lives in that fire," neighbor Juneydi Alans said.
The public viewing for Fickes was held at the Grace Lutheran Church in Hockessin Delaware Thursday night.
A second viewing will be held from 2-4 p.m. on Friday, with a private service to follow. The event is for family, friends and members of the Wilmington Fire Department only. Seating and parking will be extremely limited at the church.
Services for Leach will be held Friday at St. Elizabeth's Catholic Church, located at 809 S. Broom St. in Wilmington.
There will be a viewing at 10 a.m. for family, friends, Wilmington Fire Department members and local first responders. It will be followed by a funeral mass at noon.
A joint memorial service honoring both firefighters will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Chase Center on the Riverfront, located at 815 Justison St. in Wilmington.
The service will be open to the public. Doors will open at 12 p.m.
Fana-Ruiz remains in custody on $6 million bail. She will next appear in court on Oct. 7.
