The North Highlands house fire in which firefighters found the bodies of a 37-year-old woman and her 8-year-old son on April 6 was an act of arson, Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District investigators have concluded.
Laura Fernandez and Wilfred Villarruel were found dead in the burning home by crews that had responded to the 4000 block of Stephens Drive at about 8 p.m.
The cause of their deaths is still listed on the Sacramento County Coroner's Office website as undetermined, as the office awaits test results to determine what killed them.
Authorities had said there were suspicious aspects of the fire, including the time that it occurred.
The blaze was largely confined to the garage, fire officials said.
Crews responding to the fire reported finding a well-involved garage fire with extension into the home, Sac Metro Fire officials said. Firefighters made entry into the home and began attacking the fire. During their search, they found the two victims and removed them from the home.
Both victims were determined to have fatal injuries and were pronounced dead at the scene, fire officials said.
Sac Metro Fire is asking that anyone with information about the fire to call the Arson Tip line at (916) 859-3775.
Sacramento Area Firefighters Local 522 is offering a Reward of $1,000, for which citizens may be eligible by providing information leading to the arrest and prosecution of the person or persons involved. You may also contact Crime Alert at (916) 443-HELP.
KCRA: Fire deemed arson
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