On August 16, 1994, a deliberately set house fire in Springfield, Ohio, killed four-year-old Avery Bailum. Fire crews arrived about 6:15 a.m. at 17 Miller Street to find the residence fully engulfed. Ten people were in the house; nine escaped after adults dropped children from second-story windows. Avery ran and hid under his bed and could not be reached before the flames took hold.

Arson investigators concluded a flammable liquid had been poured on the porch and then ignited. The death has been ruled a homicide but remains unsolved. The Springfield Police Department and state authorities continue to seek information that could identify who set the fire and bring answers for Avery’s family.

If anyone has information about that fire or saw suspicious activity around 17 Miller Street on August 16, 1994, please contact the investigators handling the case.