Devastated: Madison Home Blaze Claims Pregnant Mom and Kids – 2 Charged with Murder

A Wisconsin locality is heartbroken after a tragic house fire took the lives of a pregnant mother and her two young children What began as a suspected accidental fire has now turned into a full-scale homicide study after Madison police proven that two individuals have been arrested and charged with murder The blaze broke out just before p m Sunday night in the Crestview neighborhood a quiet residential area on the city s southwest side Flames engulfed a small family home on Crestview Drive near Elm Street drawing multiple calls from shocked neighbors Devastated Madison Home Blaze Insists Pregnant Mom and Kids Charged with Murder Inside the burning home were -year-old Emily Harper her -year-old son Noah and her -year-old daughter Ava Emily was seven months pregnant with her third child Despite rapid response from firefighters the family could not be saved Initially thought to be an electrical fire the episode took a grim turn after investigators discovered evidence of arson Madison Police Chief Brian Winslow ratified during a Monday press briefing that two male subjects whose names have not yet been published pending arraignment have been taken into custody This was not a random act but we at present have no indication that the defendants knew the casualties mentioned Chief Winslow This appears to be a premeditated and intentional act that led to the deaths of three innocent children and their mother As news of the arrests spread residents of the Crestview neighborhood were left reeling A growing memorial of candles flowers and stuffed animals now marks the lawn of the destroyed home The family was well-known and loved in the neighborhood Emily had worked part-time at a local library and was frequently seen walking her children to the nearby park She was one of those people who perpetually had a smile on her face commented Gina Morales owner of the nearby Elm Caf Her kids would come in for hot chocolate after school I can t believe they re gone According to local fire officers evidence at the scene included the scent of accelerants and burn patterns inconsistent with accidental origin Surveillance footage from nearby homes is being reviewed to determine if the subjects were caught entering the property before the fire began The two individuals have been charged with four counts of first-degree murder as Emily s unborn child is being recognized under Wisconsin s fetal homicide law Their arraignment is scheduled for Monday morning at the Dane County Courthouse This tragedy has struck a nerve not only because of the casualties ages but also because of the violent nature of the crime Madison has experienced an uptick in arson cases over the past year though none as deadly or disturbing as this City leaders including Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway have called for calm and promotion We must stand with the Harper family during this horrific time and ensure justice is served swiftly the mayor declared in a report A candlelight vigil is scheduled for Friday evening in Ridgewood Park just a block away from the scene Society counselors will also be available for anyone struggling with grief or trauma WHY THIS MATTERS NOW Madison has seen a rise in residential fires this year but investigators say this blaze was deliberately set underscoring how arson can escalate from property crime to lethal violence when children are involved Update Log a m Two subjects arrested on first-degree murder charges p m Fire deemed arson victim IDs authenticated p m Court arraignment scheduled for Monday morning Anyone with information about the event or the accused is urged to contact Madison Police Department s tip line Personnel are especially interested in dashcam or doorbell footage recorded between and p m on Sunday near Crestview Drive The loss of Emily Harper and her children has devastated this neighborhood but as residents come together in mourning they are also unified in their demand for justice