Stanley O. Ford

AKRON, Ohio - Investigators have determined that an Akron house fire that killed a family of seven was arson.

Stanley Ford, a neighbor whose home was raided in the days after the May 15 fire, has been arrested and charged with seven counts of aggravated murder and a single count of aggravated arson, officials announced Tuesday during a news conference at the Akron Police Department.

"We do know that this was an intentional, human act, and this was a set fire," Interim State Fire Marshal Jeff A. Hussey said during the news conference.

The State Fire Marshal's Office tested evidence recovered from the May 15 fire and the search of Ford's house, but declined to comment on the evidence at the news conference. Hussey also declined to say whether an accelerant was used to start the fire.

The May 15 blaze equaled a 1994 house fire as the deadliest in the city's history.

Jered Boggs, 14; Daisia Huggins, 6; Kylle Huggins, 5; Alivia Huggins, 3; and Cameron Huggins, 1 died in the fire along with their mother Angela Boggs, 38, and her longtime boyfriend Dennis Huggins, 35. All seven victims died of smoke inhalation, the medical examiner's office said.

"This is a devastating tragedy for our community," Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan said Tuesday. "The safety of our residents is my top priority, and I vow to do everything in my power to ensure that justice is achieved for these victims and their families."

Ford, 58, owns two houses on neighboring Hillcrest Street. Investigators recovered two gas cans, bags of clothing and other items while searching the houses Thursday afternoon.

Ford will likely appear at an arraignment Wednesday morning in Akron Municipal Court, officials said.

"Our fire investigators have worked very closely with the State Fire Marshal's Office and the Akron Police Department to try to bring closure and answers to first the family, and also the community, in this tragic event," Akron Fire Chief Clarence Tucker said Tuesday.

Neighbors were surprised to learn of the arrest. Several neighbors said they do not know Ford well, but that he was friendly to them in passing.

Chakia Richardson, who called 911 the night of the fire, said the news was "terrible."

"I can't get over it," she said Tuesday. "I'm still trying to put this all together."

Investigators said Tuesday they do not have any evidence linking the fire to an April 18, 2016 fire that killed two people-- Lindell Lewis, 66, and Gloria Hart, 65 -- about two blocks away. That fire was ruled an arson but no arrests have been made in the case.

Investigators did confirm that a man who was taken into custody last week on a parole violation is not a suspect in the May 15 fire. The 47-year-old man, who has previous convictions for aggravated arson and arson, was arrested May 16 and taken to the Portage County Jail.

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