Intentionally Set Loudoun House Fire Killing Resident Leads To Murder Charge

STERLING, VA — A murder charge has been placed after a fatal house fire in Sterling that Loudoun County officials determined was intentionally set.

The fire marshal's office determined the fire was intentionally set on the exterior of a townhouse. Investigation by the fire marshal's office and Loudoun County Sheriff's Office led to Jacob Bogatin, 78, of Sterling being charged with felony murder and burning or destroying an occupied building. Bogatin was arrested Tuesday and remains at the Loudoun County Adult Detention Center. The investigation remains active, and additional charges may be placed.

Remains of a resident were found at the scene and sent to the medical examiner. The victim was identified as Madelaine Samantha Akers, 36, a resident of one of the homes. Akers was the only person unaccounted for after the fire.

"I want to thank our Criminal Investigations Division personnel and our counterparts at Loudoun County Fire and Rescue and the Fire Marshal’s Office for their diligent, swift, and thorough investigative work," said Sheriff Mike Chapman in a statement. "The fire and loss of life is a tragedy for our community, and we are committed to working together to pursue justice as this investigation continues."

Around 1 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 24, Loudoun County Fire and Rescue responded to a home with a possible trapped person in the 20000 block of Riptide Square in the Lowes Island neighborhood. Units found two townhouses with significant fire and extension to a third home.

Firefighters were unable to initially enter due to the volume of fire and multiple structure collapses, leading to an effort to tackle the fire from the outside. Two townhomes collapsed and the fire damaged a third, according to a news release. It took crews about an hour of firefighting before the fire could be controlled enough to allow for salvage and overhaul operations.

Eight residents were displaced by the fire and several are receiving help from the American Red Cross.