The Rochester Fire Deparment has ruled that the five-alarm blaze at a Thurston Road apartment complex was set on purpose.
All 12 people living in the property at 440 Thurston Road made it out alive.
More than 70 firefighters were called in to help put out the five-alarm fire, which burned for most of the day. After it was finally out, crews worked to tear down the building.
Crews have not revealed how the fire was set, but did say it was started inside. The Arson Task Force is still investigating.
Abby Riley runs a restaurant down the road, and even held a food and clothes drive after the fire. She says arson or not, it left her neighborhood hurting.
“I don’t have no judgement, that’s not my place. I don’t really have a say-so on that, but the situation is unfortunate for everybody," Riley said. "It’s still innocent bystanders that didn’t have anything to do with that, so out of the kindness of my heart and the community, we just pushed through to help.”
Anyone with information is aked to call Crime Stoppers at (585) 423-9300.