Police Identify Victims in 'Intentionally Set' DC Mansion Fire

DC Police Chief Cathy Lanier identified the four victims of the northwest DC fire Thursday, in a Friday afternoon news conference.

They are Savvas Savopoulos, 46, and his wife, Amy, 47, their 10-year-old son Philip and housekeeper Veralicia Figueroa, 57, of Silver Spring, Md. The boy, according to NBC4, was a student at nearby St. Albans school, where two private prayer services were reportedly held. The family also has two teenage daughters who were not at home.

Savopoulos is CEO of American Iron Works, according to the company Web site. Savopoulos’ Facebook page also notes that he is chief executive officer of Sigma Investment Strategies.

Lanier said at the Friday afternoon news conference that the fire was “intentionally set.” She also said that three of the four victims suffered “blunt force” injuries.

Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department are investigating the deaths in the 3200 block of Woodland Drive, NW. The multimillion-dollar home was still roped off with police tape Friday afternoon, more than 24 hours from the time firefighters responded to the fire on Thursday.

Just before 1:30 p.m. Thursday, personnel from the DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services (DCFEMS) responded to the house on fire in the 3200 block of Woodland Drive, NW, near the Naval Observatory and the Washington National Cathedral.

While they were putting out the fire, four people – three adults and a child – were discovered inside, according to police. The occupants were confirmed deceased, police said.

The case is being investigated by members of the MPD Major Case Squad, with assistance from the Arson and Explosives Task Force, according to a news release from police. The Task Force includes members from MPD, DCFEMS and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.

Police are asking that anyone with information on this case or anyone who saw a blue 2008 Porsche bearing DC tags DK2418, on Thursday, May 14, 2015 between 10:30 am and 5:30 pm, to contact police at (202) 727-9099. Additionally, anonymous information may be submitted to the department’s TEXT TIP LINE by text messaging 50411.

Lanier said in the news conference Friday afternoon that the car belonged to the family. NBC4 reports the car was found burned near a church parking lot in Lanham, Md.

Police have been going door to door in the neighborhood, handing out flyers, asking neighbors for any information they might have that could help the investigation.

The Metropolitan Police Department currently offers a reward of up to $25,000 to anyone that provides information which leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons wanted for any homicide committed in the District of Columbia. Anyone with information about this case is asked to call the police at (202) 727-9099. Additionally, anonymous information may be submitted to the department’s TEXT TIP LINE by text messaging 50411.

Google Map photo of home on Woodland Drive NW in DC