WARREN — State Fire Marshals are conducting an arson investigation at the site of a recent homicide on Lovers Lane in Warren.

A Sunday evening fire engulfed the residence, located at 1028 Lovers Lane NW, about 8:30 p.m., just days after the fatal shooting of Howard Dorsey, 35, Tuesday evening.

Warren Fire Chief Ken Nussle was unable to comment on the arson investigation but said the fire raised “red flags” given the recent homicide at the address and signs of a forced entry at the back door.

Nussle said two five gallon gas cans, one of which was melted down, were found inside the home.

When crews first arrived Nussle said firefighters observed a “large volume of fire” concentrated at the front of the house.

A fire report indicates the source of the fire was a lighter, cigarette or cigar. The report also states that a floor covering, something like a rug, carpet or mat, could have been ignited as the first item of the fire.

The home has since been boarded up by a disaster recovery servicer. Nussle said building inspectors will determine if the home is restorable.

Just last week the westside home was the site of the city’s second homicide of the year after Dorsey was pronounced dead at Trumbull Regional Medical Center.

Police had responded to the Lovers Lane home around 8:20 p.m. after reports of gunshot victim.

According to a recorded 911 call, a woman said she found Dorsey lying on the dining room floor, bleeding from his mouth after she was awoken by the sound of gunshots, recounting to dispatch that she saw two individuals fleeing the home.

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