Fire at Ohio home where 3 were slain ruled arson

HOWARD, Ohio – Authorities say someone set a fire at an Ohio home where police say two women and an 11-year-old boy were stabbed to death before their remains were placed in a tree.

The State Fire Marshal's office has determined that the Monday night fire at the Howard home of Tina Herrmann was arson.

The office said in a statement Wednesday that specific details would not be released, including how the fire was started.

A local fire chief has said the blaze burned the porch and melted some siding but was contained quickly and did not spread inside the house.

The remains of Herrmann, her son and a family friend were found last week stuffed into a hollow tree at a nature preserve about 20 miles from the home. Funerals were scheduled for Wednesday.