Man, 64, detained in deadly Southern California house fire that kills 3 people

Authorities have detained a 64-year-old man in connection with a deadly house fire Sunday that left three people dead and another two injured, authorities confirmed to KTLA.

Firefighters with the L.A. County Fire Department were dispatched to a house located at 6038 Sultana Avenue in the Los Angeles neighborhood of Temple City just before 5 p.m. on reports of the blaze, fire officials confirmed to KTLA.  

In footage of the scene obtained by KTLA, fire crews were seen on the roof of the residence as smoke continued to billow out of the home. The property showed obvious signs of fire damage, with portions of the exterior charred by heat and smoke.  

Details are limited and it’s unclear exactly how the fire got started, but officials said crews called “knockdown” on the residential blaze at 5:20 p.m. 

Two people were rushed to the hospital in unknown condition, though it's unclear if it was the same two men, both elderly, that a witness told KTLA she saw running from the home with possible burn injuries.

"I just heard yelling, like long yelling," Jane Guzman de Leon, a neighbor, said.

Another three people were discovered deceased inside the residence, L.A. County Fire said in a post to X, formerly Twitter.  

A heavy presence of first responders, as well as onlookers, could be seen in video, as deputies with the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department cordoned off the street.  

A lieutenant with LASD told KTLA that authorities believe this to be a case of arson and are questioning the 64-year-old. It is unclear if the man has been formally arrested.

No information was provided on the age or gender of the victims. No other injuries were reported.  

Arson investigators remained on the scene.