Transient Arrested in Apartment Fire

A transient involved in a drug-related dispute was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder for allegedly setting a fire in a South Los Angeles apartment building, critically burning a man, authorities said Thursday.

The suspect, Donald Washington, 35, was arrested about 10 p.m. Wednesday at 43rd Street and Vermont Avenue, a block from the fire scene, Detective Don Tabak said. Police believe that Washington was involved in the narcotics-related dispute with a tenant who moved out of the building on Friday--a fact the suspect did not know when he allegedly set the building on fire shortly before 6 a.m. Wednesday.

Washington apparently quarreled with the former tenant Tuesday evening near the building in the 4200 block of South Vermont Avenue, Tabak said. Detectives said the arsonist poured gasoline in the hallway before setting it afire. James Populus, 35, suffered second- and third-degree burns over 96% of his body in the blaze.