Man Arrested In Fatal Encampment Fire In San Diego's Mountain View Neighborhood

SAN DIEGO, CA — A man was arrested on suspicion of murder and arson after authorities said he intentionally set an encampment fire that killed a man in San Diego's Mountain View neighborhood.

The fire was reported at 10:23 p.m. Saturday in the 900 block of South 45th Street, where officers found an encampment engulfed in flames and a man suffering from severe burns, according to the San Diego Police Department. San Diego Fire-Rescue crews extinguished the fire and took the victim to a hospital, where he died Sunday from his injuries.

Detectives with the Metro Arson Strike Team determined the fire had been intentionally set. Witnesses told investigators they saw a Hispanic man in his 60s leaving the area as the fire began.

Homicide detectives later identified the suspect as Jose Arredondo, 57, of San Diego. He was arrested Monday in the 4100 block of Newton Avenue and booked into San Diego County Jail on suspicion of murder and arson.

The victim has been identified, but authorities withheld his name pending family notification.

The investigation was ongoing. Anyone with information was asked to contact the department's Homicide Unit at 619-531-2293 or San Diego County Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477.