Pasadena Man Arrested for Setting House on Fire, Displacing 6 Residents

A 42-year-old Pasadena man was arrested Wednesday for setting a house on fire in the 700 block of East Orange Grove Boulevard, displacing six residents and killing a cat, according to the Pasadena Police Department.

Luis Montellano was taken into custody a short distance from the scene after witnesses identified him as a suspect seen fleeing the area, according to Pasadena Police Lieutenant Matt Campeau.

Pasadena police and fire departments responded to the blaze at approximately 12:08 p.m. and found the house fully engulfed in flames upon arrival, said Campeau. 

While no human injuries were reported, one cat was found deceased at the scene as a result of the fire. The Pasadena Humane Society responded due to pets being present in the home, Campeau said.

The Red Cross is assisting the six displaced residents with temporary housing arrangements, said Campeau. 

Montellano, who apparently is unrelated to the victims, was arrested for arson, Campeau said. 

Pasadena arson investigators were called to the location to conduct a further investigation into the incident, said Campeau. 

Los Angeles County booking records show Montellano is being held at the downtown Los Angeles Inmate Reception Center on a $250,000 bond.

Anyone with information about this case is encouraged to call the Pasadena Police at (626) 744-4241 or report information anonymously by contacting “Crime Stoppers” at (800) 222-TIPS (8477) via your smartphone by downloading the “P3 Tips” Mobile App on Google Play or the Apple App Store, or by using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org