Man, 61, charged with murder, arson in Kankakee fire

KANKAKEE, Ill. (AP) - The Kankakee Fire Department says a 61-year-old man faces murder and arson charges for allegedly setting an apartment building fire that killed two boys.

Fire officials said Tuesday that Alex Sawyer has been charged with two counts of murder and eight counts of aggravated arson. WBBM quotes (http://cbsloc.al/1VQHV6K ) investigators as saying he set the fire to earlier this month as an act of revenge, but did not elaborate.

Two-year-old Jushaun Watson and 4-year-old Justice Stewart both suffered severe burns in the blaze and died days later.

The fire started around 1:45 a.m. on April 13 in a rear stairwell of the building. Five other building residents also were injured, and three firefighters were hurt extinguishing the fire. Twenty people were left homeless.

It wasn't clear whether Sawyer has an attorney.

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Information from: WBBM-TV, http://www.cbs2chicago.com