2 rescued after home set on fire

Wilmigton, Delaware, fire on North Van Buren Street
Fire scene on North Van Buren Street in Wilmington (Photo: Delaware Free News)

WILMINGTON, DELAWARE (2/22/2016) City firefighters rescued two residents from a porch roof after a fire was intentionally set and spread through the home Sunday, authorities said. One firefighter was injured.

The fire in the 3000 block of N. Van Buren St. was reported at 2:36 a.m.

Heavy flames were showing when firefighters arrived.

The wife was awakened by noise and discovered the fire but she and her husband could not get out due to heat and smoke, then escaped through a second-floor window onto the porch roof, said Battalion Chief James R. Jobes, a city fire department spokesman.

Both were taken to Wilmington Hospital for treatment of smoke inhalation but later released, Jobes said.

A firefighter was treated at the hospital for an ankle injury and later released.

Jobes said the city Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating and asked anyone with information to call 302-576-3142.

The Red Cross assisted the displaced couple.