Arson Suspect Cuffed For Fire At Abandoned Strip Mall In Indio

INDIO, CA – A suspected arsonist was under arrest for setting fire to an abandoned Indio strip mall Thursday, authorities said.

Fredrick John Guerra, 40, was arrested Thursday morning in connection with the blaze that started just after 3 a.m. in the 81700 block of Avenue 46.

Responding fire crews reported heavy fire and smoke at the 10,000 square-foot structure, according to Jody Hagemann of the Riverside County Fire Department.

Four dozen firefighters contained the flames by 3:53 a.m., Hagemann said.

The cause of the fire, which led to an estimated $125,000 in damage, was determined to be arson, leading Cal Fire investigators to place Guerra under arrest on suspicion of arson, Hagemann said. He was booked into the Riverside County jail in Indio, where he was being held in lieu of $55,000 bail, county jail records show.

No one was injured in the fire, Hagemann said.

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PREVIOUS: THURSDAY, MAY 3, 7:18 a.m.

A fire that broke out at an empty strip mall in Indio was under control this morning, according to officials.

Riverside County Firefighters responding shortly after 3 a.m. to the 81700 block of Avenue 46 reported heavy smoke and fire at the 10,000-square-foot, abandoned commercial property, said agency spokesperson Jody Hagemann. The fire was contained at approximately 3:53 a.m.

No injuries were reported, damage estimates were unavailable and the blaze's cause is under investigation, Hagemann said.

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--Images via RivCo Fire/City News Service contributed to this report