Suspected arsonist arrested after fire that leaves 3 children badly burned in Wilmington - Los Angeles Times
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Suspected arsonist arrested after fire that leaves 3 children badly burned in Wilmington

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A man in his 30s was arrested Thursday evening after setting a fire at a Wilmington home that left three children badly burned, officials said.

The man was not immediately identified, but Los Angeles police said he was a relative of a couple who lived in the two-story duplex along with a mother and her three children. Police said the man is 38 or 39 years old.

Shortly before 6 p.m., the man entered the home in the 700 block of North Hawaiian Avenue and set a fire inside using an accelerant, according to LAPD Det. Megan Aguilar. It’s unclear if he was allowed in or if he forced entry.

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When paramedics arrived, they rushed into the burning home to rescue two of the children while a Los Angeles police officer and two civilians pulled a third child out of a window, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.

A team of 35 firefighters arrived soon after, knocking down the blaze in 14 minutes.

Two of the children, ages 11 and 13, were critically injured. The oldest child, a 15-year-old, was in serious condition, Aguilar said. The LAPD officer involved in the rescue was hospitalized for smoke inhalation.

Police are investigating a motive in the attack.

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