Investigators have ruled that a smokey fire in the basement of a home Tuesday night was set intentially. Because a man was hospitalized after being found unconscious in the home, the fire has been ruled an aggravated arson.
The man, whose name and age were not released, was taken to Miami Valley Hospital in serious condition, Dayton East District Chief Vincent Wiley told News Center 7.
Crews were dispatched to 17 Brighton Ave. at about 8:45 p.m. on a report of a house fire with a victim possibly inside.
Wiley said firefighters found very little fire but a lot of smoke.
“The person apparently was overcome by smoke,” Wiley said, noting that the man was alone in the house. He was found in the basement by family members. Four other people live in the house, the district chief said.