Building owner, manager charged with murder in apartment fire that killed 7 near Chicago

2 men charged with murder after Ill. fire kills 7

CICERO, Ill. — Murder and arson charges have been filed against the owner and manager of an apartment building in a Chicago suburb where seven people died in a fire on Valentine’s Day.

Cicero Police Superintendent Lori Lelis says the building’s owner, Lawrence Myers, was having problems with the Internal Revenue Service and told the building’s manager, Marion Comier, to “take care of the building.”

The 60-year-old Myers and 47-year-old Comier were charged Thursday with first-degree murder and aggravated arson. Both were denied bond on Friday. It isn’t clear whether the men have attorneys.

The blaze gutted the two-story, five-apartment building.

Prosecutors say witnesses told police they overheard Myers and Comier discuss setting the fire.