Suspect in Arson Fire Commits Suicide
By Susan Motander
An apparent arson fire in Monrovia led to the serious injury of an Arcadia Fire captain and a family tragedy. The early morning fire on the day after Christmas is believed to have been caused by a relative of the owner of the business that burned. The suspect committed suicide before police were able to speak with the 25-year-old.
According to Monrovia Police Chief Jim Hunt, the owner of the business identified a family member as a possible suspect. Before investigators were able to contact the suspect at his residence in Glendale, the suspect’s grandmother contacted the Glendale police department to report his suicide.
The three-alarm fire was first reported at 2:41 a.m. on the morning of Dec. 26th according to Monrovia Fire Chief Chris Donovan. Monrovia Engine 101 reached the scene at 335 W. Chestnut Avenue by 2:45 a.m. and called for additional help. Ultimately, 50 firefighters were involved in fighting the commercial fire.
Donovan said that the first units at the fire attempted to fight the fire within the building, but quickly had to switch to a “defensive” strategy with aerial streams to contain the fire to the original structure.
Assistance came from Arcadia, Pasadena, San Marino, San Gabriel, South Pasadena, Alhambra, Burbank, Glendale, and Los Angeles, County Fire Departments. The building and its contents are deemed to be a total loss, Donovan said.
Donovan explained that the injuries to the Arcadia captain occurred when there was a partial collapse of the building near a commercial roll-up door. The captain’s helmet was knocked off and embers fell onto his neck and head.
He was transported first to Arcadia Methodist Hospital where he was diagnosed with second and third degree burns to the back of his neck, head and face. Now at the Grossman Burn Center, the injured firefighter “will be facing surgeries and probably treatment in a hyperbolic chamber,” Chief Donovan said.
