I want to make a memorial in his honor, something classy
check with atty in your area 2 years is probably the statute of limitations, .so that's why you're getting the demand letter now. They must PROVE you caused the accident. They need an accident reconstruction expert to say conclusively that it was your negligence that caused the fire. If it was the hot water heater, there are several problems FOR THE LANDLORD: -what was an exposed heat source doing in a closet? -what maintenance did they perform on the hot water heater? -why didn't the landlord have an extinguisher (is that what you meant? instead of hydrant?) Your statements to the fire department don't establish anything. That's like telling the police that you sometimes drink a beer does NOTHING to prove that you were DUI on any given night. ESPECIALLY if you can say you DID NOT see your son playing with matches at the time of the incident.
Grow up, get clean, go to school, get a job and DO NOT effect other peoples lives with that ****.
