Man charged with murder in 2008 fire that killed family

LONDON, Ohio – Authorities say a man who escaped a fire that killed his wife and two children and destroyed their Ohio home in 2008 has been indicted on charges including aggravated murder in that blaze.

A Madison County grand jury in London met last week and charged 59-year-old Peter Romans on aggravated murder, murder and aggravated arson counts in an indictment unsealed Monday. London is about 30 miles (48 kilometres) southwest of Columbus.

The Columbus Dispatch reports investigators allege Romans intentionally set the fire in Madison County that killed his 51-year-old wife Billi, their 12-year-old son Caleb and 16-year-old daughter Ami. He was arrested Monday at his current home in Orient in Pickaway County.

Romans’ attorney, Sam Shamansky, said Monday his client is “an innocent man, who has been wrongfully accused.”