AMIR COLEMAN - 2 yo - (2010) St. Paul MN

St. Paul MN ---- A St. Paul family describes themselves as
'devastated' one day after losing a two year old child to a fire, then
having the boy's uncle arrested in his death.
St. Paul police arrested the 27-year-old uncle for allegedly
starting Thursday's fast-burning house fire that killed 2-year-old Amir
Coleman. The boy was discovered on the second floor of the burned-out
home at 839 Blair Avenue.
"Witnesses reported that when they first noticed the fire it was on
the porch and moments later it was up the front of the house so that was
fast moving fire which is an indicator that an accelerant may have been
used," says St. Paul Fire Marshal Steve Zaccard.
Relatives have identified the man as the little boy's uncle and say
he had been in the home before the fire started Thursday afternoon. A
search of the man's criminal record indicates a pattern of criminal
domestic abuse and violating no-contact and restraining orders.
Family members say he was arrested at Regions Hospital while visiting
relatives who had been injured in the blaze.
The suspect as he has not been charged yet.
Authorities say the man has been booked into jail on possible
homicide and arson charges. Evidence collected by investigators,
including a gas container, has been sent to the crime lab for
analysis. Results should come back within a week.
"It's devastating," says Jeff Branson, Amir Coleman's great uncle, a
different relative than the man who was arrested. "He was an innocent
kid and to see this happen and to see him go like this is a tragedy."
Fire crews arrived at the home on Blair Avenue just after 2:30 p.m.
Thursday and found three adults and two children suffering from
fire-related injuries.
All were rushed to Regions Hospital, where Amir was pronounced dead.
Two of the victims, a 4-year-old child and a male in his 20s, jumped
out of second story windows to escape the raging fire.
A neighbor said he ran over to the burning home and yelled to the man
to throw his child. The man jumped out of the home instead.
Fire chief Tim Butler said the 4-year-old boy and the man were
injured after they jumped from a second-story window to escape the
raging fire.
Paramedics took the father and child to Regions. Both suffered burns.
The child showed signs of smoke inhalation.
The Union representing the City of Saint Paul Fire Fighters, IAFF
Local 21, has established a memorial fund benefiting the Family of Amir
Coleman. Besides losing Amir, the family home was also heavily damaged
in the fire. Amir's Aunt works in the Saint Paul Fire Department
Administration and firefighters say she and her family will be kept in
Local 21's thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
Anyone wishing to donate to this fund can contact Alliance bank at
651-229-0070.
Donations can also be mailed to or dropped off at: Alliance Bank
of St. Paul
55 E. Fifth St., Suite 115
St. Paul, MN 55101
(651) 229-0070

No Charges In 2010 St. Paul Fire That Killed Boy



April 18, 2011 4:37 PM



ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — The Ramsey County attorney’s office has decided against bringing charges in a St. Paul house fire that killed a 2-year-old boy last year.

Prosecutors have determined there is not enough evidence at this time to prove a criminal charge beyond a reasonable doubt.

Last month, St. Paul police presented the results of their investigation into the death of Amir Coleman to prosecutors.

The boy died in an apparent arson fire in March 2010. Three adults and a 4-year-old boy escaped the fire.

County Attorney John Choi says his office will review the case if it gets more information.

http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2011/04/18/no-charges-in-2010-st-paul-fire-that-killed-boy/