Arson caused SE DC house fire that killed 3

D.C. Fire and EMS were called to a house fire near 23rd Street and Southern Avenue Southeast around 5:30 a.m. Sunday. There, they found a 64-year-old man and a 34-year-old woman dead on the second floor of a townhome. They also rescued an 85-year-old woman with a ladder from the second floor. She was taken to the hospital in life-threatening condition and died from her injuries Monday morning.

At the time, D.C. Fire and EMS said the Arson Task Force was investigating the fire. Monday morning, they confirmed the fire was arson.

So far, there have been no arrests. The fire department said the investigation has been turned over to D.C. Police. They have not said whether there are any suspects, though friends of the victims told WUSA9 on Sunday that someone had been harassing the two of them for weeks prior to the fire.

D.C. Fire and EMS said multiple dogs were found in the basement of the home in good condition and were safely taken to Animal Control.

Fire officials also said they would be back in the neighborhood Monday morning, distributing fire safety materials including smoke alarms and installing them for free if needed.

This fire was the third in the DMV this past weekend. Five people total died from these fires, including the two killed by the Southeast D.C. fire.