ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- The Rochester Police Department says a weekend house fire that claimed the lives of a mother and two of her children was intentionally set and the case is now being investigated as a homicide.
The Rochester Fire Department said it was called to High Street around 5:30 a.m. Saturday for the report of people trapped inside a burning home.
Virginia Ortiz, 25, Willie Nelson, 6, and Ameeya Nelson, 3, died as a result of the fire.
“My thoughts and prayers go out to the family and to the friends and family of the community for these individuals,” Rochester Fire Chief John Schreiber said. “It’s a tragic loss. It affects not only the community, but the firefighters that do the job day in and day out. They have children of their own and this impacts them and impacts us as a department. I’m very proud of the men and women of the Rochester Fire Department. They were there in under three minutes to that house fire."
Police said since the fire they’ve gathered enough evidence and done enough testing to determine the fire was arson.
Investigators aren’t able to provide many details yet or say if they have any suspects, but they said they are reviewing video from the area and are looking for a possible motive.
“Quite frankly, it’s extremely disturbing not only to the firefighters who responded, but to the investigators currently conducting the investigation,” RPD Lt. Frank Umbrino said. “I don’t know if there is any explanation that could possibly make sense, but hopefully our investigation will give us that answer.”
Police won’t say exactly where the fire started, but fire officials at the scene on Saturday said it appeared to start near the back end of the house. There were four working smoke detectors in the house at the time.
As police continue to interview family, friends, and neighbors, they are also asking the community for help.
“Somebody knows something about this,” Umbrino said. “Whether it’s one person, two people, three people, somebody knows something and to not share that information is extremely disturbing. People who were in the area of High Street at 5 o’clock in the morning, whether it be driving to work or coming home from work, if you saw something call us.”
Police said this was an isolated incident and the neighbors are not in any danger.
They said there were six or seven people in the home at the time including family members and acquaintances. Three firefighters were also hurt.
If you have information, call 911, 311, or the homicide unit at 585-428-7157.
Meanwhile, the family is looking for help with funeral costs. If you wish to help the family, you can visit the fundraising page a family friend has set up for them here.