MONTEBELLO, CA – A devastating apartment fire in Montebello on Thursday morning has left a 13-year-old boy and two adults dead. Authorities are investigating the incident as a fatal arson attack stemming from domestic violence.
Explosions Reported At Scene
The fire erupted around 4:30 a.m. on Thursday in the 100 block of South Fifth Street. Neighbors in the San Gabriel Valley community reported hearing a series of loud explosions just before the apartment building was engulfed in flames.
Suspect Among The Deceased
When Montebello police officers arrived, they encountered a man suffering from severe burn injuries two blocks away from the scene, appearing to flee the area. Both that man and a woman found outside the home were rushed to a hospital with critical injuries, where they later died.
Montebello Police Chief Luis Lopez confirmed during a press conference that investigators believe the deceased man is the person who intentionally started the fire.
Tragic Loss of a Local Teen
Firefighters pushed through heavy flames to conduct rescue efforts after learning someone might still be trapped inside. They discovered the body of a 13-year-old boy on the upper floor of the apartment.
Neighbors described the teen as a kindhearted, friendly boy who was unable to escape the fast-moving flames. Local residents stated that the woman was the teenager’s mother and the suspect was her partner, though officials have not yet formally released their identities.
Community In Mourning
The relationship between the individuals remains under official investigation as detectives work to determine the exact cause of the fire.
“Montebello is a very close-knit community,” Chief Lopez stated. “Any time there’s any loss of life, it’s tragic. When it involves domestic violence, it’s really tragic because it involves the family unit. This neighborhood is grieving.”
