A deliberately set house fire on April 13, 2003 killed 19-year-old Christine Wilson and four other students at 64 East 17th Avenue near Waldeck Avenue, east of The Ohio State University campus. Investigators determined the blaze began at the front door and was intentionally ignited; the fire took about an hour for 100 firefighters to extinguish.

The apartment had hosted a party that night attended by an estimated 75 to 100 people; the party ended about 3:30 a.m. and the fire began around 4 a.m. It’s believed 15 to 20 people were inside when the fire started. All five victims were trapped on the second floor—four together in one room and one in a separate room. A reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest and indictment of those responsible.

If anyone has information about what happened that night, please contact Crime Stoppers at 614-461-TIPS.