BURNED: "20/20" INVESTIGATES THREE ALLEGED ARSON CASES WITH THE HELP OF THE NATION'S LEADING FIRE EXPERTS AND THE LATEST TECHNIQUES

"20/20" Airs on Friday, May 7 on ABC

The only thing possibly worse than losing loved ones in a fire would be if you were falsely accused of setting the blaze. Yet that's what some experts say happens around the country when the wrong fire investigator determines arson based on outdated techniques. Is it what happened to Amanda Kelly? Kelly's world fell apart on a winter's day in 2001 when she was charged with arson, accused of setting a fire that engulfed her Alexandria, Louisiana home, killing her three children. She faced the death penalty.

"20/20" takes this case apart, and examines others in which people claim someone was falsely charged, convicted or even executed based on bad fire science. Experts involved say what happened to them could happen to anyone. John Lentini, one of the nation's leading fire experts says, "If you survive a fatal fire, you've got a very good chance of being charged with setting it."

Jay Schadler's report airs on "20/20," FRIDAY, MAY 7 (10:00-11:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.

Other cases "20/20" investigates include that of Kristine Bunch in Indiana, who has already been behind bars for 14 years after being convicted of setting her mobile home on fire to kill her child, and of Curtis Severns in Texas, who is serving 17 years in prison for setting fire to his gun shop, even though no one was killed.

"20/20" is anchored by Elizabeth Vargas and Chris Cuomo. David Sloan is executive producer.