3 Teen Suspects in San Clemente Fire Located in Other States

Three teenagers suspected of starting a fire that destroyed four San Clemente condominiums have been tracked to other states, and officials said Wednesday they are negotiating for their return.

The teenagers’ attorneys are talking with the Orange County Fire Authority about their voluntary return to California to face arson charges. If those negotiations break down, Battalion Chief Scott Brown said, “extradition is a possibility. However, we are attempting to gain their full cooperation through their legal counsel to discuss this with us.”

Officials would not say where the suspects are, or if they had been visiting on vacation at the time of the fire or are local residents who left the state.

The Aug. 1 fire raced up a coastal canyon near the San Clemente Pier, burning to the ground a three-unit condo complex valued at nearly $1 million, as well as one unit in a neighboring building. A home on the opposite side of the canyon was seriously damaged.

Several witnesses reported seeing two or three teenagers running from the area near the beach where the fire broke out.

In the days afterward, officials fanned out through the neighborhood, seeking information about who had set the blaze. Brown declined to detail how investigators believe the fire started, saying it would jeopardize their probe and negotiations with the teenagers’ lawyers. But he expressed hope that charges would be filed soon.

“Our investigators are in the process of collecting additional evidence to present to the district attorney,” he said.

No one was injured in the fire, but dozens of residents were forced to evacuate their homes as more than 100 firefighters battled the blaze.