Murder and arson charges filed after deadly fire in Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA – A man has been charged with murder, arson and other charges in connection with a fire that left one person dead and many others homeless in Philadelphia last week.

According to Philadelphia police, 38-year-old Shadeek McDowell was charged with murder, arson, five counts of aggravated assault, five counts of simple assault and related offenses.

The charges stem from a fire Friday morning in the 1800 block of East Russell Street, police said.

At around 4:32 a.m., officers from the 24th Precinct and members of the Philadelphia Fire Department were called to the block because people were trapped there.

When officers arrived, they saw people on the roof of the house.

Firefighters rescued people from the fire who told them their mother was still in the house.

Firefighters found the mother, later identified as 66-year-old Evelyn Payne, unconscious in the front bedroom on the second floor.

At 5:28 a.m. she was pronounced dead at the scene.

The fire, which spread to several neighboring houses, caused considerable damage and losses.

McDowell was arrested at the scene.