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Montebello domestic violence arson attack leaves 1 dead, 2 in critical condition

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Published  May 14, 2026 9:37am PDT
Crime and Public Safety
FOX 11
Arson suspected in deadly Montebello house fire

Arson suspected in deadly Montebello house fire

Authorities say the fire stems from a possible domestic violence incident.

The Brief

    • A fire intentionally set with gasoline at a Montebello home Thursday morning left a child dead inside the residence.
    • The suspect, identified as the homeowner's ex-boyfriend, and the female homeowner are both hospitalized in critical condition with severe burns.
    • Police are investigating the incident as domestic violence, noting that the suspect allegedly poured gasoline inside the home, setting the victims and himself on fire before attempting to flee.

Are you or someone you know a recent survivor of domestic violence? Help is available. A national hotline can be reached at 1-800-799-7233. 

MONTEBELLO, Calif. – A horrific early morning house fire in Montebello has left a child dead and two others fighting for their lives in what authorities are investigating as an intentional act of domestic violence. 

Police believe a man broke into his ex-girlfriend's home, poured gasoline inside, and set the occupants on fire.

What we know:

The fire broke out in a multi-unit complex located on 5th Street between Whittier Boulevard and Los Angeles Avenue, according to authorities. 

Arriving emergency crews found the fire raging inside one of the units, while multiple families living on the property rushed to evacuate.

Officials told FOX 11 the suspect is the ex-boyfriend of the woman who lived in the home. Investigators believe he entered the residence and used an accelerant, suspected to be gasoline, to intentionally set the home and the victims on fire. The suspect also caught fire during the incident, sustaining serious burns.

Paramedics discovered the female victim with severe burns, and she was rushed to a local hospital in critical condition. 

Her  was young son was unable to escape and died inside the home.

After setting the fire, the suspect ran away for about two blocks to 7th Street and Los Angeles Avenue, where his getaway car was parked, authorities said. 

Responding police officers pursued the man, who was reportedly shouting, "shoot me! shoot me! kill me! kill me!" as he ran.

Officers apprehended the suspect at his vehicle, where remnants of his burned clothing were left on the ground. 

A police officer who gave chase radioed for immediate medical assistance, effectively saving the suspect's life. 

He remains hospitalized under police custody in critical condition.

What we don't know:

Further information on the child who died was not released. 

The names of the female victim and the suspect have also withheld.

It's unclear how the suspect was able to get inside the home.

What's next:

Detectives with the Montebello Police Department are actively working alongside arson investigators from the Montebello Fire Department to process the crime scene and formally confirm the type of accelerant used. 

The suspect faces potential murder and arson charges as soon as his medical condition allows for formal processing.

The Source: This article is based on live, on-the-scene reporting from FOX 11's Gigi Graciette, with information provided by the Montebello Police Department and Montebello Fire Department. The report also includes direct observations of the crime scene and suspect vehicle, alongside accounts from neighborhood witnesses. 

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