50 Cent says cleared in mansion fire

YAPHANK, N.Y., May 9 (UPI) -- U.S. rapper 50 Cent says police have cleared him in a fire that almost killed his former girlfriend, but local authorities say no one has been ruled out.

Shaniqua Tompkins, her 10-year-old son with 50 Cent, and four others narrowly escaped being burned to death in a fire last year at the $1.4 million Suffolk County, N.Y., mansion of the rapper, whose real name is Curtis Jackson. A statement appearing Friday on Jackson's Web site said he had been cleared by police of setting the fire, E! Online reported.

"The police department and insurance investigators ruled that there is absolutely no proof or evidence suggesting that Curtis Jackson or any affiliated parties were involved," the statement reads. "Curtis Jackson has just been cleared of all the accusations. The investigation will continue until the guilty party is found."

Tompkins alleges Jackson started the fire to get her out of the house, and police told E! that, contrary to the statement, he has not been eliminated as a suspect. A spokesman for the Suffolk County police told the Web site the case remains open and no one has been declared beyond suspicion.