Relative Intentionally Set Fire That Killed 3 Family Members In East Bay Police

RICHMOND, CA — A man was arrested on suspicion of killing three of his family members by intentionally setting fire to their home in Richmond on Tuesday, police said.

Sergio Rivera-Vega, 32, was arrested on suspicion of murder and arson causing great bodily injury, the Richmond Police Department said.

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Fire crews responded around 8 p.m. to the blaze in the 200 block of 15th Street and were able to put it out after 45 minutes, police said.

But soon after, they noticed another house, a few doors down, was also on fire, police said.

There, fire crews found a 47-year-old man, a 33-year-old woman, a 5-year-old boy and a 2-year-old girl unconscious inside, authorities said.

The man died at the scene, while the woman, the boy and the girl were taken to a local hospital for treatment, police said.

There, the boy and the girl died from their injuries, according to authorities.

The woman remains hospitalized in critical condition, authorities said.

Police said it was suspicious given that it happened "only two houses away from the first fire and began within a short period of time while emergency personnel were still responding to the first incident."

Homicide units responded to the scene and began investigating, conducting interviews, collecting evidence and working closely with fire investigators to process the scene, police said.

During that investigation, they learned the fire was intentionally started and identified Rivera-Vega as a suspect, police said. Rivera-Vega, according to police, is related to the victims and lived at the home.

The Richmond Police Department called the incident an "unimaginable tragedy" in a press release Ton hursday.

"The Richmond Police Department is committed to conducting a thorough and comprehensive investigation," police said. "Detectives will continue working closely with the Richmond Fire Department and the Contra Costa County District Attorney's Office to ensure that all available evidence is examined, the full circumstances surrounding this incident are established, and justice is pursued for the victims and their family."

Bay City News contributed to this report.