El Centro home fire under investigation

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) - El Centro Police are looking for a person of interest after an abandoned home caught fire.

The fire broke out on Wednesday evening on the corner of Dogwood Road and Ross Avenue.

Firefighters arrived on the scene five minutes after getting the call and a total of 12 firefighters helped put the fire out within 30 minutes of arriving.

The firefighters stayed on the property for over two hours to make sure the fire was completely out.

El Centro Fire Battalion Chief, Cedric Cesena, says they're keeping all possibilities open as to what happened.

"We had an arson investigator respond as well off duty and another chief officer to help with the fire," Cesena said.

The supervisor of the business next door, Dan Garcia, says the burned house held many homeless people who caused issues with his shop.

"It's an on going thing and I'm not saying it was them but you know that house held them there and you know..they won't be there anymore which is good,"  Garcia said.

The owner of Axis Metal Design, Joey Dollente, said he was scared when he got the call about the fire and rushed to the scene. His team was prepared to save the shop if needed.

"Luckily the wind was in our favor last night. It was blowing to the east and we're to the west so that helped us out there but we were ready," Dollente said.

Witnesses reported a man leaving the scene at the time of the fire.

He was described as a thin-built Hispanic in his mid-30's and was last seen wearing a beige baseball cap, a black t-shirt and dark striped sweatpants.

If you have any information, please contact your local police department.

The El Centro Police Department can be reached (760) 352-2113