Fairfax fatal fire intentionally set

The 52-year-old Fairfax man who died in a house fire Saturday as seven of his relatives escaped uninjured had intentionally set the fire, officials said.

Ching Ho Wang, 52, of the 3700 block of Paul Street in the Bailey's Crossroads area, died from smoke inhalation, according to authorities.

Fire department spokesman Daniel L. Schmidt declined to say how the fire ignited, or how investigators learned it was set on purpose.

At about 6 a.m., rescue workers saw smoke and fire coming from the basement and front of the rambler-style home. While fighting the fire from inside the basement, crews discovered Wang's body in a bedroom. Two dogs in another bedroom also died. Firefighters had the flames under control in 10 minutes, officials said.

Damage to the house is estimated at $80,000.

Wang's death was the county's fourth fire death this year.

-- Allison Klein