Calif. Firefighters Rescue Two Women From Arson Blaze
Source Daily Press, Victorville, Calif.
HESPERIA, Calif. -- A man was behind bars Tuesday for allegedly setting a Hesperia home on fire while two women -- one in her 90s and the other with limited mobility -- were still sleeping inside, San Bernardino County Fire officials said.
Ralph Joseph Bravot, 50, was arrested about a block away from the burning home, said Cindy Bachman, spokeswoman for the San Bernardino County Sheriff 's Department.
Bravot is related to both women rescued from the home, Tracey Martinez, spokeswoman for the county fire department, said.
Firefighters were called out to a home in the 8200 block of Alston Avenue a little before 2 a.m. Tuesday after the women and neighbors were awakened by beeping smoke detectors, fire officials said.
When firefighters arrived, they found the garage fully engulfed, according to Martinez.
Rescuers learned there were people in the home and they quickly tried to enter, but the front door was locked with a dead bolt and with debris blocking the entrance, according to officials.
Firefighters managed to enter and found two women at the back of the home, Martinez said. Neither was hurt.
The women told rescuers a man was still in the home along with several animals, officials said. Firefighters couldn't find the man but were able to rescue two dogs. Two dogs and a rabbit died in the blaze. It was later determined the man was able to get out of the home on his own, Martinez said.
Firefighters were able able to extinguish the blaze in about 25 minutes and contained it to the garage and one bedroom, Martinez said in a release. A vehicle inside the garage was destroyed, according to a release. The total damage caused by the fire was estimated at $100,000.
San Bernadino County Sheriff's Arson and Bomb authorities were called out to the scene when it was determined the fire had started in the garage under suspicious circumstances, according to authorities.
After an investigation, officials arrested the women's roommate for arson.
The incident is still under investigation.
Copyright 2012 - Daily Press, Victorville, Calif.
McClatchy-Tribune News Service
