A tragic arson fire in Philadelphia has resulted in the deaths of a pregnant woman and her two young children. The fire, which occurred on June 13, claimed the lives of 31-year-old Ashley Thompson and her two children, 6-year-old Assad Thompson and 4-year-old Alaya Thompson-Newell.
Two suspects, Charles Sumpter, 67, and Fleitte Newell, 44, were arrested on June 25 and charged with multiple counts of murder and related offenses.
The Deadly Fire
The fire broke out just before 5 a.m. on June 13 in the Strawberry Mansion neighborhood of Philadelphia, at a rowhouse located in the 2500 block of N. Corlies Street. Firefighters arrived to find the property fully engulfed in flames.
While battling the blaze, five individuals were discovered inside the home, with Ashley Thompson found dead on the second floor. Her two young children later succumbed to their injuries at the hospital.
A 54-year-old woman, later identified as Sherry Jackson, managed to escape the fire along with a third child. Jackson, who is also the sister of one of the suspects, Fleitte Newell, told police that she had been in an ongoing argument with Newell over the house for over a year.
According to Jackson, Newell had previously threatened to burn the house down with her in it, though Jackson claimed her concerns were not taken seriously when she reported the threat.
The Arrests of Sumpter and Newell
Charles Sumpter and Fleitte Newell were interviewed by police on the day of the fire but were not arrested until June 25. The police served them with warrants, and both were charged with the murders of Ashley Thompson and her children, as well as other related offenses.
The arrest of Newell, in particular, has shaken the community, as she is the sister of the woman who survived the fire.
The Victims’ Lives and Legacy
Ashley Thompson was seven months pregnant at the time of her death. She is remembered as a loving mother, daughter, and friend. A family member set up a GoFundMe page describing Thompson as a devoted mother whose children, Assad and Alaya, were the light of her life.
The fundraiser states that Ashley’s children were her joy and purpose, and they were dearly loved by everyone who knew them.
The community has been left devastated by the loss of this family, and the investigation into the cause of the fire and the motive behind the arson continues. The arrest of the two suspects has brought some sense of justice, though the grief felt by the victims’ loved ones is immeasurable.
This horrific crime has shaken the Philadelphia community, highlighting the destructive consequences of personal disputes and threats. As the investigation continues, the family and friends of Ashley Thompson and her children are left to mourn, while the justice system works to hold those responsible accountable.
