
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, September 28, 1994                   TAG: 9409280064
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: DIANE STRUZZI
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

FIRE STARTED BY ARSONIST, OFFICIALS SAY

Arson is the cause of the fire that gutted a northeast Roanoke County home early Monday, according to fire investigators.

"The manner in which it burned was unusual," and inconsistent with an accidental fire, Fire Marshal Donald Gillispie said.

Investigators are awaiting results of tests being done on evidence taken from the home at 5445 Endicott Street. They suspect that an accelerant was used to start the fire, which began in the bedroom about 3:30 a.m.

Roger and Jaimie Baker, who lived at the home, told investigators they left their residence about an hour before the fire began. Just before leaving, Roger Baker allegedly crashed his car into his wife's car, Roanoke County police said. He was charged Monday with the attempted malicious wounding of his wife and is scheduled to be arraigned today.

Gillispie said he was continuing to piece together the evidence and was looking at a list of potential suspects.

by CNB