
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: MONDAY, May 15, 1995                   TAG: 9505160031
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: A-8   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: MATT CHITTUM
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

FATAL FIRE IN ROANOKE CALLED ARSON

Roanoke police are investigating as arson the fire that killed a woman in her Old Southwest Roanoke apartment Saturday morning.

According to police, the victim of the fire has been identified as Brenda Ann Davis, 40, of 369 Washington Ave. S.W., the residence where the fire occurred.

Davis' body was found in the upstairs part of the building, police said. There was no indication of violence to Davis' body other than that caused by fire.

Investigators, however, determined that characteristics of the fire were consistent with arson.

Police also have located two men who were seen fighting outside Davis' residence not long before the building burned, police said.

One of the men may be charged with throwing a brick through the window of the building that burned. Police have not ruled out drug activity as a reason for the altercation. The investigation into the fight is continuing.

Keywords:
FATALITY

by CNB