Report in Toledo LODD fire may have been destroyed

Investigators may have destroyed preliminary fire reports that suggested the blaze started in a kitchen rather than in the garage

April 27, 2015 10:00 AM

The Blade

TOLEDO, Ohio — A Lucas County judge Friday agreed to hold a hearing regarding reports that may have been destroyed in the case of an Oregon man accused of setting a fire that killed two Toledo firefighters.

At the request of attorneys for Ray Abou-Arab, Common Pleas Judge Stacy Cook scheduled a June 29 hearing to hear arguments on Mr. Abou-Arab’s contention that investigators may have destroyed preliminary fire reports that suggested the blaze started in a kitchen inside the Magnolia Street apartment building rather than in the garage, as the prosecution now contends is the case.

Such a report could point to Mr. Abou-Arab’s innocence in the case, they say.

Mr. Abou-Arab, 62, is charged with two counts of aggravated murder, each with death penalty specifications; two counts of murder, eight counts of aggravated arson, and one count of tampering with evidence stemming from the Jan. 26, 2014, fire that killed Toledo fire Pvts. Stephen Machcinski, 42, and James Dickman, 31.