New details in Montebello fire that killed 3, including 13-year-old boy; domestic violence suspected

MONTEBELLO, Calif. (KABC) -- New details emerge a day after a house fire killed three people, including a young boy, in Montebello, which authorities say may be linked to domestic violence.

The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner told ABC7 that they're still working on notifying the families of the three people who died, this as investigators remain on scene of the deadly blaze.

Neighbors are still in shock. One neighbor who lives in the front apartment where the fire broke out said she was able to get out with her family and pets. She described the harrowing moments she witnessed to Eyewitness News.

"We just saw a man and a lady just burning. Honestly, all her skin was off. Her hair burnt off completely and she was just screaming for her son," said neighbor Alisson Gomez.

Those who knew the victims say that when they heard what happened, they were concerned their friend and her son were the ones who had died.

Diogeyda Rodriguez says that she spoke to her friend's sister down in San Diego and that she confirmed to her and others that Rossy Borquez and her 13-year-old son Atiel died in Thursday's fire.

Officers and firefighters responded shortly after 4:30 a.m. to the 100 block of South Fifth Street, just south of Whittier Boulevard, according to police.

"Upon arrival, officers were contacted by a male adult and a female adult with severe burns to the front of a residence that was fully engulfed on fire," police said in a statement.

According to investigators, the fire engulfed a detached unit, forcing nearby residents to evacuate.

The blaze was quickly extinguished by the Montebello Fire Department and the two injured victims were transported to a hospital in critical condition where they later died. The young boy was found dead inside the home.

"At this time, we believe that the male involved in this case is the suspect. This does appear to be a domestic violence related incident," said Montebello Police Department Chief Luis Lopez.

Eyewitness News learned that the man and Borquez had been in a relationship and the 13-year-old boy was the Borquez's son.

Hermalinda Anaya says she's a friend of Borquez. She told Eyewitness News that the last time she spoke to her friend was Monday and talked about her boyfriend -- a man she and other friends described as being toxic.

"She told me she's so mad, she's so upset at all the things that he do," said Anaya. "He tell her, 'I'm not gonna let you, nobody else be with you because I paid for your surgery, and I'm not gonna let you be with nobody else.'"

Anaya did not say what type of surgery it was. The identity of the man has not been released.

Friends also said that Borquez emmigrated from Mexico a couple of years ago.

Police believe Borquez lived in that home but it was not immediately known if the man did as well. Neighbors told Eyewitness News the young boy did live there.

Arson and police investigators spent hours combing through the burned unit gathering evidence and trying to figure out what led up to the deadly fire.