Fire victim claims antiques stolen

LYNN – The owner of a School Street home that was destroyed in a November fire claims $1.7 million worth of antiques were stolen from the house before it was intentionally set ablaze, police said.Stephen Sklavounos, 57, who owns 43 School St., made the report on Tuesday, according to police.Lynn Fire Department investigator Lt. Dave Legere confirmed that arson was ruled the cause of the Nov. 6 fire.”We do believe somebody broke in and set a fire in the kitchen on the first floor,” Legere said Wednesday. No arrests were made.The police report doesn’t mention specific items and was made after Sklavounos’ attorney advised him to do so, according to Lt. William Sharpe, police spokesman.”I can confirm the claim relative to $1.7 million of antiques allegedly removed prior to the house burning down,” Sharpe said, adding it will be next to impossible for police to investigate the alleged thefts. “The dwelling no longer exists and there are no physical evidentiary avenues to pursue in this case.”