By Nick Gale, WLS News

(CHICAGO)  Investigators in Kankakee say a fire last week that left two children dead was purposely set.

Kankakee police say 61-year-old Alex Sawyer is in custody for last week’s apartment fire. He faces two counts of murder and eight counts of aggravated arson.

Eight people were injured in the blaze including three firefighters. A 2-year-old and a 4-year-old died after being hospitalized with injures. The blaze left 20 people homeless.

Investigators say the fire was an act of revenge, but aren’t elaborating.​

@ 2016 WLS-AM News