Illinois Landlord Gets Life in Deadly Arson-for-Insurance Case

A Cicero, Ill., landlord has been sentenced to life in prison for the deaths of seven people during a Valentine’s Day 2010 apartment fire that prosecutors say was set for insurance money.

Cook County prosecutors say Judge Carol Kipperman sentenced 64-year-old Lawrence Myers. He was convicted in November of seven counts of first-degree murder and several counts of aggravated arson. Authorities say he hired a man to set fire to the Cicero building to collect $250,000 in insurance money.

The victims died of smoke inhalation. They included a 3-day-old baby boy, 3-year-old boy, twin 16-year-olds and three adults. Three firefighters also were injured. The blaze was set on a Sunday morning.

The man accused of setting the fire is awaiting trial.