Three men charged, accused of starting fire at Arlington apartment building

ARLINGTON, Va. (DC News Now) — Three men are in custody after they were accused of starting a fire at an Arlington apartment complex that sent several people to the hospital in May.

Following a months-long investigation, the Arlington County Fire Department’s Office of the Fire Marshal announced that Wilmer Agustin De Leon, 20, of Arlington, Marvin Adelso Hernandez Lopez, 18, of Arlington, and Erasbiel Flores, 22, of Woodbridge were charged with arson in connection with the fire.

Just before 5 a.m. on May 15, firefighters were dispatched to the garden apartments in the 100 block of S. Quebec Street after a fire broke out in the Douglass Park area. Once on the scene, crews rescued multiple people who were trapped in the apartment building. Several were also taken to the hospital to be treated from smoke inhalation.

The fire impacted about 32 residents, according to the fire department.

While investigating the fire, officials discovered evidence signaling that the fire was suspicious.

As the months-long probe continued, officials determined that the three men were involved in starting the fire.

The group was also charged with arson and other related charges.

Police noted that Lopez was also charged with reckless handling of a firearm.

The trio is being held without bond at the Arlington County Detention Facility.