City condemns houses damaged in blaze that killed 2

Mayor says DSS needs more resources

Building inspectors condemned three South Boston row houses yesterday that were damaged by a suspected arson blaze Sunday in which two children were killed.

As debris cleanup teams made their way in and out of the homes on West Sixth Street yesterday morning, one displaced resident sat on a stoop and sobbed. Along with the house that allegedly was the target, at 154 West Sixth St., the city condemned two neighboring houses.

Down the block, at the corner of D Street, a trickle of mourners stopped by the impromptu street memorial for 14-year-old Acia Johnson and her 3-year-old sister, Sophia, who were found dead in the third-floor closet where they sought refuge from the flames.

Police and fire officials said their investigation of the fire is continuing.

There had been no arrests as of last night. Two city officials briefed on the probe have told the Globe that investigators believe someone used an accelerant and lighted the home on fire about 3 a.m.

Anna Reisopoulos, the victims' mother, remained in serious condition yesterday at Boston Medical Center, where she has been hospitalized since the blaze, police said.

Mayor Thomas M. Menino, meanwhile, joined a chorus of child-protection advocates in raising questions about the state Department of Social Services' handling of child neglect reports in the Reisopoulos household.

The Globe reported yesterday that DSS had received a dozen reports of child neglect and abuse in the family and had removed Acia Johnson and her twin brother, Raymond, from the home in 2003. But friends, neighbors, and school officials said the children continued to live with Reisopoulos, and DSS continued to receive reports of neglect.

The most recent was three weeks before the fire, when Reisopoulos chased Raymond around the house with a knife, according to state officials and a police report.

"The loss of these two young girls is a horrible tragedy," Menino said yesterday. "The well-being of our children should be our top priority. Social workers from DSS have a difficult job to do, and I believe more resources are needed to help them do their work."

DSS officials told the Globe on Thursday that the agency had made an "extraordinary effort" with the Reisopoulos family and that its actions in the case were appropriate.

Governor Deval Patrick's budget proposal pending before the Legislature includes funding to hire up to 100 DSS social workers.

Donovan Slack can be reached at dslack@globe.com.