Apartment Resident Held in Arson Fire
A resident of a nearly deserted apartment building where a fire broke out early Saturday has been arrested on suspicion of arson, authorities said.
Ricardo Cordell, 33, was believed to have set a gasoline fire in a two-story building at 5114 San Vicente Blvd., Los Angeles Police Sgt. Stan Ludwig said.
Cordell was in custody in the jail ward of County-USC Medical Center, where he was in fair condition after suffering burns to his face and hands, Ludwig said. No one else was injured.
Cordell was being held in lieu of $10,000 bail.
The blaze, which began about 1:40 a.m. was extinguished in about 14 minutes, said Fire Department spokesman Greg Acevedo. Damage to the building was about $40,000, he said.
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