An early-morning fire that broke out at a mobile home in the Portola Heights Mobile Home Park on Freedom Boulevard Tuesday is being investigated as an attempted murder.
Duane Hawkins, 65, arrived at the home and started the fire following an argument, Watsonville Police spokeswoman Michelle Pulido said.
He suffered moderate injuries and is currently being treated at a Bay Area trauma center. He is expected to face attempted murder and arson charges once he is released from the hospital.
Pulido said that Hawkins arrived at the home and started the fire after an argument.
Police declined to release information on the two victims because of the sensitive nature of the case, Pulido said.
The fire erupted at about 7:15am in unit 25 on Crespi Way.
One neighbor who used the name Erika said she ran to the house with her “little fire extinguisher.”
“As soon as I saw (the fire) I thought, ‘no way can I help with this,’” she said. “I ran door to door telling neighbors to get out and move their cars.”
The flames were as high as the palm tree out back, Erika said.
Two women and one man were rescued from the structure. The women suffered minor to moderate injuries and were taken to a local hospital. The man was taken to an out-of-county trauma center with moderate injuries, including burns.
Watsonville Police Detectives were called to the scene as there were indications that the fire may have been intentionally set, Pulido said.
The fire also damaged a mobile home next door and left a sliding glass door smashed in.
Watsonville Police arrived at the scene, rescued a man from the burning home, and helped evacuate neighbors. Watsonville Fire Department was joined by crews from North Monterey County, Central Fire and Cal Fire in tackling the blaze and with mop-up. A large number of police officers responded to the fire, and cordoned off the area with yellow crime scene tape.
“I’m just happy the firefighters came out so quickly,” Erika said. “The police and firefighters were here within minutes.”
Pulido said that police had visited the home previously. One neighbor said that there have been domestic issues at the residence.
The Santa Cruz County Fire Investigation Task Force has been called to the scene and is helping with the investigation.
To see a video of the fire, visit https://youtube.com/shorts/daSKo5D45Qo
