A deliberate early-morning fire at the Lincoln Park West Apartments, 600 Lynwood Lane in Columbus, Ohio, killed 10 people on September 12, 2004, including 1-year-old Ismael Noriega-Mejia. The blaze started in the basement or on the first floor and spread with unusual speed up a stairway that normally resists burning, trapping many residents as people shouted and pounded on doors to warn neighbors.

The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, the ATF, and the Ohio State Fire Marshal investigated and ruled the blaze arson. At least 53 residents were left homeless and the building was gutted, its wooden frame exposed above melted siding. No suspects have been identified and Columbus Crime Stoppers has offered a reward for information leading to an arrest and indictment.

Does anyone have information about the fire, or remember activity at the complex around September 12, 2004?