1 dead after person allegedly sets fire to Arroyo Grande home; suspect arrested, police say
One person died and another was arrested after emergency crews responded to a reportedly intentionally set house fire in Arroyo Grande on Monday evening.
In a post on X, Five Cites Fire Authority said it and law enforcement were at the the scene of a structure fire in the 200 block of Spruce Street at 6:56 p.m.
Numerous fire engines and other emergency response vehicles could be seen in the neighborhood as of 9 p.m.
Cmdr. David Culver of the Arroyo Grande Police Department said officers were called to the area in the afternoon for a “basic check the welfare of the residence.”
.jpg "Image from iOS (1).jpg")
“It was unclear as to exactly what was going on,” he said. “There was some initial reports of maybe some self-inflicted injury, maybe someone had been assaulted — but the officers weren’t really clear when they were initially responding.”
Culver said when police arrived at the scene, they met a resident of the house who had injuries “consistent with being assaulted.” She told the officers another family member was still in the building.
As they attempted to enter the home, Culver said they “encountered a doorway which they could not get past.”
“It appeared to be barricaded in some way,” he said. “The structure at that point was on fire and the officers pulled back away from the front door due to the fire within the residence.”
Soon after, a person fled from the building, Culver said. Officers were able to catch him in the backyard of the burning home and take him into custody, he said.
“It appears that the fire was intentionally set,” Culver said.
Culver said despite attempted lifesaving measures, one person died at the scene of the fire.
An officer from a neighboring police agency was also injured while taking the individual who attempted to flee into custody, he added.
The names of those involved were not released as of Monday evening.
As of Monday night, the department was working with the county Coroner’s Office, the District Attorney’s Office’s Investigative Unit and the fire department’s arson investigator to determine what had happened, Culver said.
He said there was no risk to the public at this time.
Culver said emergency crews expected to be at the scene for several more hours. Both Spruce and Ash streets were shut down during the investigation.
People were advised to stay out of the area.
This story was originally published October 14, 2024 at 9:08 PM with the headline "1 dead after person allegedly sets fire to Arroyo Grande home; suspect arrested, police say."
%20Cropped.jpg)