(10/04/06) WEST HEMPSTEAD ? Police Wednesday classified a deadly West Hempstead house fire as malicious.

Investigators confirmed the Glenwood Road fire claimed the life of 44-year-old David Bhola. Bhola?s body was found in the basement after the fire Tuesday, but he was too badly burned to be immediately identified. Although authorities have yet to call the fire homicide or suicide, they did say the fire was started on purpose. Police noted an accelerant was used and the natural gas meter in the house had been dislodged.

Police have not named any suspects and are waiting for autopsy results as they interview friends and family. Some neighbors report Bhola had problems with a contractor who worked on his newly renovated home, but officials did not name the contractor.