LEMON GROVE, Calif. (KGTV) – A man faces multiple charges in connection with an assault and a house fire in Lemon Grove that left one person injured and a dog dead, San Diego County sheriff’s officials said Monday.
Sheriff’s deputies and multiple fire crews were called to the 1500 block of Taft Street at around 3 p.m. on Sunday due to a house on fire.
Officials said responding deputies found a man with a puncture wound to his right leg and brought him to safety as firefighters battled the blaze.
According to sheriff’s officials, Mario “Marina” Milton was identified as the suspect accused of assaulting the victim. Milton is also accused of lighting the house on fire with a torch.
Most of the damage to the house was in the garage and led to the back of the house. Deputies say multiple animals were inside when the fire happened. A dead dog was found in the home.
The circumstances leading to the fight and assault were unknown at the time when ABC 10News spoke to deputies at scene.
Milton was arrested on charges including suspicion of arson, assault with a deadly weapon and cruelty to animals.
The sheriff’s Bomb/Arson Unit is investigating the incident.
