Aurora firefighters work through a burnt apartment complex Tuesday morning, Aug. 7 at Peoria Street and East 17th Avenue. Aurora fire officials are investigating a Monday apartment blaze that left two dead and 25 people injured as a possible arson, fire officials said. (Marla R. Keown/Aurora Sentinel)

AURORA | A north Aurora apartment fire that left two people dead last week has been ruled arson, the Aurora Fire Department said.

The Aug. 6 blaze at the Fitz Apartments near East 17th Avenue and Peoria Street killed Dom Chanhthavongsa, 64, and Bounhieng Thammavongsa, 59, after they couldn’t escape their fourth-floor apartment, officials said. The Adams County coroner said the couple died of smoke inhalation.

Aurora firefighters work through a burnt apartment complex Tuesday morning, Aug. 7 at Peoria Street and East 17th Avenue. Aurora fire officials are investigating a Monday apartment blaze that left two dead and 25 people injured as a possible arson, fire officials said. (Marla R. Keown/Aurora Sentinel)
Aurora firefighters work through a burnt apartment complex Tuesday morning, Aug. 7 at Peoria Street and East 17th Avenue. Aurora fire officials are investigating a Monday apartment blaze that left two dead and 25 people injured as a possible arson, fire officials said. (Marla R. Keown/Aurora Sentinel)
Aurora firefighters work through a burnt apartment complex Tuesday morning, Aug. 7 at Peoria Street and East 17th Avenue. Aurora fire officials are investigating a Monday apartment blaze that left two dead and 25 people injured as a possible arson, fire officials said. (Marla R. Keown/Aurora Sentinel)

In a statement Friday afternoon, Aurora fire spokesman Capt. Al Robnett said the fire was intentionally started and was now being investigated by the Aurora police Major Crime/Homicide Unit.

Aurora police said no arrests have been made but investigators spoke to a person who “raised concern amongst neighbors.” Police said some believed the man may have been involved in the fire, but detectives spoke to him and there was not enough probable cause to arrest him.

After the interview with police, investigators referred the man to mental health professionals because they were concerned about his mental state. Citing privacy concerns, police said they couldn’t comment further, but they said there is no danger to the public.

“We have no reason to believe that the public is at risk,” Aurora police spokeswoman Sgt. Cassidee Carlson said in a statement.