Reward Offered For Info, After 5 Year Old Was Injured From Fire Intentionally Set On Portland Ave

The ATF is offering $5000 for the arrest and conviction of the persons responsible for a five-year-old child continues to fight for his life after being critically injured in a house fire on Portland Avenue. Investigators now say the fire was intentionally set to multi-family home north of Norton Street around 2 a.m. Monday. In a news conference Tuesday Rochester Police said evidence indicated the fire was started at the outside of the home at points of entrance. Several people are believed to be involved. Five-year-old Malakai Stovall was burned over 75% of his body and is on a ventilator. Two firefighters were also injured, one with back and rib injuries, the other with burns on his upper body. Both were treated and released from the hospital. A 19-year-old babysitter was treated for smoke inhalation.

WATCH LIVE @News_8 @RochesterNYPD says 5-year-old Malakai Stovall is fighting for his life after being critically injured in what police say is a suspicious fire on Portland Ave. @ATFNewYork is now offering a $5k reward for info (will post flyer below)https://t.co/1IEwS7UAd7

— Isabel Garcia (@IsabelG_WROC) July 30, 2024

Police said the babysitter was unable to get to the second floor of the home as the fire spread so quickly. A family in the adjoining apartment escaped uninjured. Police said it was too early to speculate on a motive. They’re asking neighbors to review their cameras to see if they caught anyone in the area at the time. Anyone with information is asked to call the Major Crimes Unit at 585-428-7157 or email majorcrimes@cityofrochester.gov.

Source: Rochester First