Four arrested in $13 million Old Town Newhall arson case

An estimated $13 million in damage resulted from a fire that swept through a historic commercial block in Old Town Newhall last August. Four adults remain in custody this week as authorities work to determine how the blaze started.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department arrested John Wright, 47; Cristian Leija, 43; Jesus Figueroa, 54; and Antoinette Ruiz, 35, on Thursday. They were booked on suspicion of arson and conspiracy. Wright and Figueroa live in Canyon County, while Leija and Ruiz reside in El Monte.

Wright was taken into custody by a sheriff’s surveillance and apprehension team. He is currently held at the Inmate Reception Center in Downtown Los Angeles, where his bail is set at $500,000. Figueroa was booked in San Dimas by the Major Crimes Bureau. Leija, Ruiz, and Figueroa are all held without bail at the Santa Clarita Valley Station. All four are scheduled to appear in court in San Fernando on Monday, though that timeline could change.

The fire broke out in the 24000 block of North Main Street at 2:55 a.m. on August 24. Detectives from the Arson/Explosives Detail arrived around 3 a.m. to investigate the structure fire, which involved seven buildings. Flames and heavy smoke forced a second alarm at 3:07 a.m. and a third alarm at 4:42 a.m. Firefighters used aerial ladder trucks to surround and drown the blaze, protecting nearby structures.

The complex included a 100-year-old building that housed the MAIN Theatre, the Newhall Refinery restaurant, and a body shop. Fire department spokesman Keith Navarre said the fire pretty much consumed the entire commercial building. By 8 a.m., the flames were largely doused, but crews continued to pour water on the site and used excavators to knock down smoldering structures. One person was taken to a hospital six hours after the fire was reported, but was not believed to have been injured by the flames.

A total of 112 firefighters and 58 pieces of apparatus responded to the scene. A hazardous materials team and fire investigators also assisted in determining the origin and cause of the fire. Sheriff’s detectives served search warrants at four locations in Los Angeles County on Thursday, leading to the arrests. No details have been released about the specific circumstances or the evidence that led to the suspects.

The department is asking for information from the public. Tips can be sent to the Arson/Explosives Detail at 323-881-7500. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477 or at lacrimestoppers.org.