Murder, Arson Suspected In Deadly Apartment Fire In Rialto
RIALTO (CBSLA.com) — A body was found in an apartment fire that displaced up to 100 residents in the city of Rialto.
Capt. Randy DeAnda of the Rialto Police Department told CBS2 and KCAL9 reporter Joy Benedict that robbery was being considered as a possible motive in the crime.
Murder and arson are both suspected.
Flames reportedly broke out in a downstairs apartment of the 38-unit complex in the 600 block of South Riverside Avenue at 2:20 a.m. Saturday.
Residents told Benedict that two men rushed into the building after realizing that someone was inside the unit and pulled the victim out.
"By the time they dragged her out, she was already burnt and I guess blood was gushing out of her face. And she had like a gash on her head," said Desiree Oviedo, a neighbor.
Police confirmed to CBS2 the victim suffered some sort of trauma to her upper body.
Saturday authorities confirmed the victim as 64-year-old Rosa Hernandez.
A longtime resident of the building, the victim was reportedly the aunt of the apartment manager.
Matt Payne of the Rialto Fire Department says temporary shelter for the residents has been has been established at the Johnson Center at 214 North Palm Avenue.
