PRESS RELEASE: Arrest Made Relating to Multiple Fires

Over the last few weeks, the Long Beach Fire Department Fire Investigations Team and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) Arson Unit Task Force have been working diligently on following up with various leads relating to a string of fires in the Belmont Shore and Naples area of Long Beach, California.

On Saturday, June 16th, 2018, two arrests were made in connection to the most recent fire that occurred at Naples Elementary School that was reported to the fire department at 6:14 PM that day in which damage was sustained to an exterior classroom. Two suspects were arrested and taken into custody. The arrested suspects include a 14-year-old male Juvenile from East Long Beach and a 14-year-old male Juvenile from Naples Island. Both suspects were booked in to Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall.

Long Beach Fire Investigators and ATF continue to investigate the fire that occurred on June 12th, 2018 at Dogz Bar and Grill in Belmont Shore. The cause of the fire is listed as incendiary, and was deliberately set. The investigation is ongoing to determine if the fires are related.

Anyone with information about any of the fires occurring in or around the Belmont Shore and Naples area of Long Beach, California are asked to contact Long Beach Fire Investigators at (562) 570-2582.

About Long Beach Fire DepartmentThe mission of the Long Beach Fire Department is to protect lives, property, and the environment, improving the quality of life and safety of the community and our visitors. For more information, please visit us at www.longbeach.gov/fire, "Like" us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

This information is preliminary and is intended for early information use rather than being a formal investigative report.