Suspect in deadly 2004 Camden fire arrested in Texas
KILLEEN, Texas -- Police have arrested a man wanted for deliberately starting a fire that claimed three people in Camden more than a decade ago, the Killeen Daily Herald reported Wednesday.
Jesus Perez-Rivera (Bell County jail) Killeen resident Jesus Perez-Rivera, 47, was being held on $3 million in bonds pending his extradition back to Camden County after his arrest Tuesday.
Perez-Rivera has been charged in connection with a fire that occurred early on the morning of July 9, 2004, on North 22nd Street in Camden. Two security guards from a nearby factory attempted to fight the blaze with fire extinguishers but were forced back because of the extreme heat, according to an account on Philly.com. The fire left six others injured, including some who had suffered severe burns.
The fire claimed the lives of Carlos Cruz, 6; his mother, Maria Silva, 28; and stepfather Luis Silva, 33. Luis Silva suffered burns over 50 percent of his body as he battled the fire in the living room, fire officials at the time said. Neighbors reported hearing the cries of Maria Silva and children as the brick row house burned.
Maria Silva was pregnant, authorities later learned.
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