Tuesday’s fire in Tom’s Brook has been ruled an arson, and a reward of up to $5,000 is being offered for information leading to a conviction.
“This was a brutal crime,” said David Ferguson, Shenandoah County Fire Marshal. “We are committed to closing this.”
He called it “brutal” because the fire occurred while members of the Ferris family were asleep at the home they rent at 3457 N. Main St. It appeared the fire was set on the front porch, which is below the bedrooms, he said. It then spread to the first and second floors.
Ferguson said Jason Ferris, his 16-year-old daughter and his 18-year-old son were asleep.
“It was one smoke detector that alerted,” Ferguson said. “If that smoke detector had not gone off, we would be investigating something different.”