The Associated Press

COLUMBUS - The size and intensity of a fire that killed 10 people makes it suspicious, as well as previous suspicious blazes at the same apartment building, authorities said on Monday.

State and federal officials said they aren't ruling anything out.

Ismael Noriega, 36; his wife, Lidia Mejia, 22; and their three young sons died in the fire, according to Antonio Noriega, Ismael's brother. Mejia's two brothers, her nephew and two family friends also died at the Lincoln Park West Apartments in suburban Columbus, Noriega said. Authorities had not yet released a list of names.

The immigrants from Mexico lived in the same apartment on the third floor, which was destroyed in the quickly moving fire that was through the roof before crews arrived, Prairie Township Fire Chief Steve Feustel said. Flames in stairwells, usually built to be fire-resistant, blocked exits.

At least 53 people were left homeless by the fire, which left the 24-unit building unlivable, authorities said.

Gerald Robinson, chief deputy state fire marshal, cited "the number of fatalities involved, previous fires at this apartment complex, and the magnitude of the fire upon the arrival of the first arriving company" as suspicious.

On July 11, the fire department investigated three fires in the same apartment building.

The fire started about 2:30 a.m. either in the basement or the first floor, but the cause was not known, Feustel said. There were no suspects and no known witnesses.