$5M bond for Ohio suspect in 2 firefighter deaths


February 3, 2014 at 10:45a.m.

$5M bond for Ohio suspect in 2 firefighter deaths

TOLEDO (AP) — An apartment building owner accused of setting a blaze that killed two Ohio firefighters is now being held on a $5 million bond.

Ray Abou-Arab appeared in Toledo Municipal Court on Monday where a judge set bond on aggravated murder and arson charges.

The 61-year-old was arrested Friday and charged with igniting the fire that killed a veteran firefighter and a rookie who got trapped inside.

A public defender representing the suspect didn’t comment on the charges. Messages seeking comment have been left at Abou-Arab’s home.

Dozens of firefighters packed the courtroom in Toledo for Abou-Arab’s arraignment.

Court documents filed last week say he was in a garage at the site of the fire on Jan. 26 just before an apartment resident said she saw the blaze break out.