Swansea Police Chief Steve Johnson says the 11 included a baby and five more children. He says a neighbor called and alerted them about the fire Saturday night. The Belleville News-Democrat says all safely fled the house.
An 18-year-old female and an 18-year-old male have been charged with arson and resisting arrest. One suffered burns in the fire. They’re being held in the St. Clair County jail on $500,000 bail.
In a statement Wednesday, Johnson says a “total team effort” involving his officers and other law enforcement agencies prevented a major tragedy.
