San Bernardino house fire deemed arson

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. (KABC) -- An arson investigation is underway in San Bernardino after a house fire sent as many as 20 people, including children, running for their lives.

The fire erupted around 5:30 a.m. Tuesday at a home on the corner of West 9th and G streets. Officials said residents on the bottom floor woke up to the sound of a person knocking loudly on the front door. When they got up, they smelled smoke and saw water coming down through the ceiling.

Everyone was able to get out of the house safely. The fire department said there were 20 residents living in the home; about half of them were children.

The San Bernardino Fire Department says it has ruled out all accidental causes. Investigators believe the fire was set intentionally on the second floor.

"Our arson team and investigators did detect flammable liquids that were potentially poured in the area of origin," said Battalion Chief Nathan Cooke. "Given the witness statements and that information, we have deemed it arson."

Authorities say they are seeking a suspect who lived on the second floor.

The home has been red-tagged, so everyone who lived there will have to move out. Residents have until Tuesday night to remove their belongings from the home.

"It's very upsetting, because last minute, all of a sudden, we just have to up and move," said resident Veronica Myles. "We don't have any place to go."

Fire officials say it's fortunate that no one was seriously hurt because there were no working smoke detectors in the home.

Anyone with information is asked to call the San Bernardino Arson Hotline at (909) 383-5260.