CLEVELAND -- The fire that killed nine people on Cleveland's east side was set by someone the family knew, and gasoline was used to fuel the deadly flames, a NewsChannel5 source confirmed.

The East 87th Street fire, which killed eight children and a mother on May 21, was the work of an arsonist, Cleveland Mayor Jane Campbell confirmed in a news conference Wednesday.

Now, a NewsChannel5 source says gasoline was spread throughout the first floor of the home, poured from the front door to the back window.

The source also said that at least two gallons of gasoline was used, and that the arsonist would have had to have access to the house.

All eight children were found in their beds, and only the mother, Medeia Carter, made an attempt to escape.

There were five working smoke detectors in the home, four of them sounding at the first sign of smoke on the second floor, NewsChannel5 reported.

Cleveland Fire Chief Paul Stubbs said investigators remained suspicious about the fire during the investigation "because able-bodied individuals were not able to evacuate."

The victims have been identified as:

• Medeia Carter, 33
• Devonte Carter, 15
• Antwon Jackson, 14
• Moses Williams, 14
• Ernest Tate, 13
• Miles Cockfield, 13
• Maleeya Williams, 11
• Fakih Jones, 7
• Shauntavia Mitchell, 12

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Stubbs added that several people will be questioned, but everyone questioned will not be considered suspects.

During the news conference, Stubbs was asked about a gas can that was found near the fire scene. He said that he would not confirm or deny anything about the gas can because it is part of an ongoing investigation.

It's believed the gas can may have been connected to official business.

Officials said the scientific information from the fire will be given to Cuyahoga County Coroner Elizabeth Balraj, and she will determine if the deaths should be considered homicides.

Campbell Notifies Families

Mayor Jane Campbell said she found out at about 5 p.m. Tuesday that the fire was set. Campbell said the investigators kept with the investigation because so many people were not able to get out of the home.

"There was a piece of it that just didn't make sense," Campbell said. "How could that many able-bodied, healthy people not be able to get out."

She said they continued to collect samples and finally found the accelerant.

Campbell said it was important for officials to tell the family before they heard it from the media.

Campbell said the investigation will take a different turn to try to figure out who had motive and opportunity.

Community In Shock

Residents in the community are shocked that the fire has been ruled an arson.

"Whoever did it, I hope they get them," said a neighbor, who did not want to be identified.

"We don't know who did it," the neighbor continued. "We don't know if they're still on the street. We don't know why they did it, and until we know that. I think everybody on the street is going to be very scared."

Kenyatta Johnson, whose grandmother lives on East 87th Street, said "I can't even imagine who would even do something like that -- knowing it would hurt someone."

Neta Dawson lives across the street from the home that caught fire. She said she felt like a relative to Medeia Carter and her children.

She added she can't believe someone would want to kill them.

"They were a wonderful family," Dawson said. "The children -- she loved children -- all children."

If you have information, please call 5 On Your Side Crime Stoppers Hotline at (216) 252-7463 or (216) 623-5454.