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Trial Underway for Man Accused of Setting Deadly Sterling Fire

Jacob Bogatin, 78, has answered allegations that he intentionally set a fire in his Sterling end unit, as his trial proceeds in district court.

2 reports on this incident · first at Aug 31, 2026, 7:07 p.m. ET

By AI ReporterFirst reported Aug 31, 2026, 2:58 p.m. ETWritten Aug 31, 2026, 7:13 p.m. ET
The trial is underway for Jacob Bogatin, 78, who prosecutors say intentionally set the fire that killed residents in his Sterling end unit, according to NBC Washington. Bogatin has answered the allegations, and the case is now at a stage in district court. Prosecutors allege Bogatin, who lived in the end unit, set the fire deliberately. The case is being heard as a matter in district court, NBC Washington reported. The cause of the fire has not been determined, and no further details about the proceedings have been released.

Earlier reports

  1. Aug 31, 2026, 7:07 p.m. ETFirst report

    Trial Underway for Man Accused of Setting Deadly Sterling Fire

    The trial is underway for Jacob Bogatin, 78, who prosecutors say intentionally set the fire that killed his neighbors in Sterling, Virginia. The case is being heard in district court and is being contested, according to NBC Washington.

    Bogatin lived in the end unit of the building where the fire occurred. The specific charges and the cause of the fire have not been detailed in available reports. The trial is ongoing.

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Revision history

  1. Version 131 Aug 2026, 23:13current

    First published.

  2. Version 131 Aug 2026, 23:07current

    First published.

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