Toledo apartment building owner to face death penalty in deaths of 2 firefighters

Ray Abou-Arab, with his attorney James MacHarg, left, was arraigned earlier this week in Toledo Municipal Court.

A Lucas County grand jury today returned a 13-count indictment seeking the death penalty for the owner of a North Toledo apartment building accused of setting a fire that killed two city firefighters.

Ray Abou-Arab, 61, of 1311 Sierra Dr., Oregon, was indicted on two counts of aggravated murder each with death penalty specifications, two counts of murder, eight counts of aggravated arson, and one count of tampering with evidence stemming from the Jan. 26 fire that killed Toledo Fire Pvts. Stephen Machcinski and James Dickman.

Mr. Abou-Arab has been held in the Lucas County jail since Jan. 31 when he was arrested at his home on two counts each of aggravated murder and aggravated arson that were filed in Toledo Municipal Court. Those charges alleged he entered a garage at the Magnolia Street building, spent more than a minute inside, then exited and went inside the Huron Market, which is connected to the apartments.

“Immediately” after he left the garage, the charges allege, the resident of the rear apartment next to the garage spotted a burning wall and called 911. After the deadly fire, investigators said they found “an ignitable liquid” inside the garage.

Mr. Abou-Arab is being held on a $5 million bond.