Crime & Safety

Woman Arrested For Allegedly Torching South Bay Group Home Where She Lived

Firefighters rescued one disabled resident from the house on Donax Avenue in Palm City area. Damage estimated at $120,000.

SOUTH BAY, CA - A probationer was back behind bars today on suspicion of torching the South Bay group home where she lived, causing an estimated $120,000 worth of damage and leaving a disabled resident and two police
officers suffering from smoke inhalation.

Glenda Coronado, 46, allegedly set fire to the small single-story residence in the 2200 block of Donax Avenue in the Palm City district of San Diego about 11:30 a.m. Thursday.

While dousing the flames, firefighters rescued a resident they found lying in his bed in a smoky back room, fire Capt. Joe Amador said. Medics took the man, who uses a wheelchair, to a hospital for treatment of respiratory trauma.

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Two San Diego police officers who forced entry to the home to look for victims later went to an emergency room on their own, also for evaluation of smoke inhalation.

Investigators set the monetary losses at $100,000 to the structure and $20,000 to contents. The American Red Cross was called in to help the displaced residents arrange for interim lodging.

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Coronado was booked into Las Colinas women's jail in Santee on suspicion of vandalism and arson causing injury. She was being held without bail pending arraignment, scheduled for Tuesday afternoon.

Authorities disclosed no suspected motive for the alleged crime.

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