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Police: Woman Charged With Murder In Fire That Killed 2 Wilmington Firefighters

WILMINGTON, DEL. (CBS) -- As the city of Wilmington prepares to lay two veteran firefighters to rest, there's a major break in the case. Beatriz Fana-Ruiz, of Wilmington, is being held on $6 million bail. She is charged by Wilmington Police and the fire marshal with setting the deadly fire at 1927 Lakeview Road.

Investigators say the home was owned by her father.

In court documents obtained by Eyewitness News, Fana-Ruiz was drunk and on anxiety medication when she went to the basement to get her things. Police say she confessed to lighting the fire in the basement.

wilmington-firefighters
(Left: Lt. Christopher Leach; R: Senior Firefighter Jerry Fickes Jr.)

As Wilmington fire crews arrived Saturday morning, Lieutenant Christopher Leach and Senior Firefighter Jerry Fickes were on the first floor of the home.

The floor collapsed into the basement. Both men were trapped, and later died.

Four other firefighters were seriously hurt.

Funeral Arrangements Announced For Fallen Wilmington Firefighters

Beatriz Fana-Ruiz is charged with two counts of murder in the first degree, assault and arson.

"That same say we were here with her, but she was fine, she was drinking," said Gabby Felix, a neighbor who says she saw Fana-Ruiz before the fire.

 

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