Lubbock Fire Rescue released new information Thursday about a deadly house fire and explosion which happened Monday in the 100 block of East Stanford Street.
LFR identified the victim as Charles Ruth, 62.
“We were waiting to release the name until next of kin was notified which happened this morning [Thursday morning],” LFR said.
After LFR released the name, EverythingLubbock.com inquired further and learned that investigators believe Ruth started the fire and his intention was to take his own life.
On the day of the fire, neighbors said a man left a house which was on fire, but then ran back in. There was an explosion, neighbors said. LFR said the nature of the fire was “incendiary” which is another way of saying not accidental.
Neighbors said Ruth talked about blowing up his own house and killing himself, but as one neighbor put it, “I didn’t believe him.”
Related Story: LFR says one person killed in North Lubbock house fire
LFR released the following statement:
On Monday morning at 7:05 LFR responded to 110 E. Stanford for a reported structure fire. Upon arrival crews found a residential structure fully involved in fire. Once the fire was contained and extinguished, the Lubbock Fire Marshal’s office was called to investigate the cause of the fire. Multiple neighbors reported hearing an explosion and noticed fire from the reported structure. After a detailed investigation by Lubbock Fire Marshals and State Fire Marshals the fire has been classified as incendiary and is still under investigation. One individual was found to be deceased upon arrival by LFR and is the lone suspect in the cause of the fire. The Lubbock County Medical Examiner’s Office will release the cause of death as soon as it becomes available.
Note: This story has been updated several times for new information.
