Person of interest detained in house fire that left 3 dead, 2 hospitalized in Temple City

A person of interest has been detained for questioning in a Temple City house fire that left three people dead and two others hospitalized on Sunday afternoon.

The blaze was reported at around 4:50 p.m. at a one-story residence in the 6000 block of Sultana Avenue, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department. 

Though crews were able to extinguish the flames within half an hour, they reported that three people were found dead inside the home. 

Two others were rushed to a nearby hospital in unknown condition. 

The cause of the fire was not immediately known. 

At around 8 p.m., the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department reported that homicide detectives would also be investigating the deaths. 

None of the victims have yet been identified, but investigators say that they believe they have a potential suspect in their sights. 

"Deputies made contact with a sixth individual who also was at the house and right now he's a person of interest," said LASD Lieutenant Hugo Reynaga. "We believe he might have set the fire inside the house."

They have not yet identified the man, only disclosing that he is 64-years-old and was a roommate of the deceased men. Deputies were not been able to immediately question the man, as he only spoke Mandarin.

Neighbors living near the spot of the fire described the scene as chaotic. 

"I was just inside my house and I heard some screaming and wailing," said Jane Guzman de Leon. "It was kinda wrong, it sounded weird so I went out to check it out and I saw the house from the inside totally in flames. Fire coming out of the windows, black smoke coming off of the top and so I just called 911."