Father of toddlers killed on 2004 fire arrested

Charles Schuttloffel, 36, the father of two toddlers who died in a 2004 house fire has been arrested on suspicion of murder.  William Leonard Schuttloffel, 2, and Charles Edward Schuttloffel, 3,  were found in the ruins of their home, reports the County Times. The fire took plance May 4, 2004 on Seaside School Road in San Gregorio.

"The cause of the fire was arson. The suspect that deliberately set fire was the children’s father," sheriff’s Lt. Lisa Williams said. "He became a suspect shortly after the investigation began."

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Lana and Charles Schuttloffel now live in Half Moon Bay with their 2-year-old daughter. [The boys’ great-grandfather] Edward Schuttloffel said the entire family is "just sick" over the charges.

"It’s nuts," he said. "It was accidental, as far as I know. It certainly wasn’t murder."

Charles Schuttloffel was injured in the blaze as he tried to save his children from the fire, which was difficult to quell because of ammunition and other flammable items stored on the property.

There are a couple of clips on the KTVU website, including an extended video of the interview with the Lana Schuttloffel and KTVU’s story on the father’s arrest.

UPDATE: Lana Schuttloffel has told the Chronicle she believes her husband is innocent

"There is no way he could have committed this crime, he’s always been a loving father," Lana Schuttloffel of Half Moon Bay told reporters outside the courtroom. "Anyone who knows Chuck knows that it’s not something he’s capable of."