Woman killed in Harrowgate house fire; Shadeek McDowell charged with murder and arson

On Friday evening, police identified a 66-year-old woman who died in a fire in the Harrowgate area of ​​the city in the early hours of the morning. The fire is believed to have been deliberately set by a 38-year-old man who has since been charged with murder.

The fire broke out around 4:30 a.m. in the 1800 block of East Russell Street, police said. Several people who tried to escape the smoke and flames were rescued from the roof of the house by firefighters.

Firefighters then found Evelyn Payne in the first-floor bedroom, police said. Paramedics on scene pronounced her dead.

The fire spread to neighboring houses and caused considerable damage, police said.

Shadeek McDowell was arrested at the scene and later charged with murder, arson, five counts of aggravated assault and related offenses.

The Red Cross said it was helping 23 people from six families who were left homeless by the fire.