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

DATE: THURSDAY, August 18, 1994                   TAG: 9408180117
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C5   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: LISA APPLEGATE
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

ARSON SUSPECTED IN FATAL FIRE

Lt. Robert Hopkins said the Martinsville Fire Department was called to 507 E. Church St. about 4 a.m. The fire started on the stairs and gutted the old house, which had been renovated into six apartments.

Hopkins said Victor Cardwell, 23, was found dead in his upstairs apartment.

Jennifer Hughes, who also lived upstairs, jumped out a second-story window to escape. She was taken to Henry County Memorial Hospital, where surgery was performed on her leg, Hopkins said.

Hopkins said none of the upstairs smoke alarms had batteries in place and only one alarm downstairs was working.

Two people who lived downstairs were able to escape through the front door. The other two occupants were working at the time.

Hopkins said the fire marshal had evidence of arson, and was close to identifying a suspect.

Keywords:
FATALITY