3 dead, including child, after Montebello house fire; domestic violence suspected, officials say

Three people, including a child, died Thursday after a Montebello house fire that authorities say may be linked to domestic violence.

The victims were only described as a male adult, a female adult and a child.

“At this time, we believe that the male involved in this case is the suspect. This does appear to be a domestic violence related incident,” said Montebello Police Department Chief Luis Lopez.

Officers and firefighters responded shortly after 4:30 a.m. to the 100 block of South Fifth Street, just south of Whittier Boulevard, according to police.

“Upon arrival, officers were contacted by a male adult and a female adult with severe burns to the front of a residence that was fully engulfed on fire,” police said in a statement.

According to investigators, the fire engulfed a detached unit, forcing nearby residents to evacuate.

The blaze was quickly extinguished by the Montebello Fire Department and the two injured victims were transported to a hospital in critical condition where they later died.

The child was found dead inside the residence, prompting a joint investigation by police detectives and arson investigators, officials said. The identities of the victims were not immediately known.

The relationship between the three victims is unclear, but Chief Lopez said it appears the child was related to at least one of the adults.

“There are no outstanding suspects in this investigation and there is no danger to the community,” a police statement said

Witnesses said they saw a man run from the scene screaming.

Chief Lopez said one of the people involved walked away but did not specify whether it was the man. The area, about a block from the initial scene, was closed off so investigators could recover discarded evidence.

A neighbor that lives in the front apartment where the fire broke out said she was able to get out with her family and pets. She described the harrowing moments she witnessed to Eyewitness News.

“We just saw a man and a lady just burning. Honestly, all her skin was off. Her hair burnt off completely and she was just screaming for her son,” said neighbor Alisson Gomez.

“Afterwards they just gave us the news that the son didn’t make it,” she added.

At a news conference, Montebello Police Chief Luis Lopez confirmed that investigators were looking into reports of possible domestic violence connected to the fire.

“Based on the responding officers, the initial comments made by witnesses and people on scene, it appears that it was domestic violence related,” said Chief Lopez. “At this point, our detectives will work basically from when this crime took place backwards to try to find out what happened hours, even days, leading to the incident so we can identify a motive.”

Three people are dead, including a child, after a fire ripped through a home in Montebello Thursday morning, authorities said. Domestic violence is suspected.

Police believe the woman lived in that home but could not confirm whether the man did as well. Neighbors told Eyewitness News the child did live there.

Gomez said the incident was unexpected.

“A lot of people were saying that there was an argument. But I mean, I never heard any arguments from them. No problems. So, to me, it came unexpectedly honestly,” she said.

The American Red Cross was headed to the scene to assist displaced residents, according to Chief Lopez.

No additional details about the cause of the blaze were available.