One dead during night of arsons

A rash of overnight fires near downtown Indianapolis left one person dead and another in critical condition. Crews battled at least nine fires between midnight and 6:30 a.m. Tuesday. The first five, which occurred between midnight and 1 a.m. on the near-east side and south side, were quickly ruled arsons. The most serious fire occurred about 6:30 a.m. at a house near State and Prospect streets. A woman and her 47-year-old son were pulled from the burning home and taken to Wishard Hospital in critical condition. Anna Richards, 63, was later pronounced dead. Investigators don’t know if all the fires are linked, but they have descriptions of possible suspects.