PHOENIX — Two people are dead and three others are hurt after a double mobile home fire Sunday morning in north Phoenix.
Phoenix fire officials say they were called to the area of Cave Creek Road and Union Hills Drive just before 10 a.m. for the reported fire.
Five people were found in the mobile home. Two of them were pronounced dead at the scene.
The other three were taken to a hospital in stable condition for burn injuries.
Police have identified the victims as a man in his late 30s and a man in his mid-to-late 30s. Their names have not yet been released.
Following an investigation, detectives apprehended a suspect, identified as 22-year-old Joel Hernandez Anaya. He was taken to Phoenix Police Headquarters where he was interviewed by investigators. During an interview, police say he made incriminating statements and was booked into Maricopa County Jail on multiple charges, including reckless manslaughter and attempted manslaughter.
According to court documents, Anaya admitted to using cocaine and methamphetamine around the time of the incident. He allegedly told investigators that he noticed his clothes had a foul odor, so he put them in a pile in the living room and poured gasoline on them.
He then claims he went outside to water plants and shortly after, he saw the windows blacken and a small explosion occur. Anaya helped one of the victims get out and remained at the scene.
Court documents state two witnesses reported Anaya was argumentative and acting unusually just hours before the fire.
Arson investigators determined the fire originated in the living room near burned clothing, with evidence of gasoline, documents state.
Anaya reportedly gave investigators the lighters he had at the scene. Based on the evidence, witness statements, and Anaya's admissions, detectives developed probable cause to believe Anaya intentionally set actions in motion that led to the fire and deaths, according to court documents.
