3 children killed in Arcadia fire, suspect in custody

ARCADIA, Fla. Three small boys were killed in a house fire early Saturday morning, Arcadia police said.

The fire, which investigators said was arson, happened at 229 S. Lee Ave. around 4:30 a.m. The boys were spending time with their grandfather, who lived in the home, when the house went up in flames.

The grandfather was pulled from the home by an unknown Good Samaritan and is recovering at a nearby hospital.

Marian Evette Williams, 49, of West Davison Street in Bartow, was identified as a suspect in connection with the fatal fire, authorities said.

Williams, the grandfather’s ex-girlfriend, is in custody facing charges of first degree murder, attempted murder and arson.

Williams has been in and out of prison since 1991 for a variety of charges, including drug dealing, driving with a suspended license and felony DUI. She was charged on Friday with battery and burglary of an occupied dwelling, but it was not immediately known if that incident is connected to Saturday’s fire.

No further information was immediately available.