Iowa fire marshal defends arson finding in fatal 1996 Springville fire

Iowa Fire Marshal Ray Reynolds says his review has found "overwhelming evidence" that a man serving a life prison sentence in a 1996 fire that killed his wife and child is guilty of arson.

Reynolds told The Associated Press on Thursday that he reviewed the original investigation into the fire at the Springville home of Stephen Keyes "out of an abundance of caution" after defense experts claimed it was based on since-debunked science.

Reynolds says he reviewed the original 271-page report that determined the fire was arson, and found no "gross errors." He says the agents used appropriate scientific techniques in making their determination and had great attention to detail.

The conclusion is a setback for Keyes, who is seeking a new trial based on the defense experts' claims.