PASADENA — Coroner’s officials Saturday released the name of one of two residents killed in an explosive arson fire at a boarding house in Pasadena.
Cliff Clark, 56, died at the scene of the fire, which broke out shortly after 2 a.m. Thursday at the two story home in the 1300 block of El Sereno Avenue, Los Angeles County Department of Coroner Lt. Larry Dietz said.
Another man, described as a white man in his 70s, was also killed in the fire, however his name was not released pending confirmation that his family had been notified, Dietz said.
A third victim of the fire, 65-year-old Perry Simons, was badly burned and hospitalized in critical condition, but expected to survive, according to Pasadena police and fire officials.
The 19-resident home, which authorities described as an unlicensed boarding house, was severely damaged by the fire, which investigators determined was intentionally set.
Police arrested Garth Allen Robbins, 49, on suspicion of murder after the investigation led them to believe he lit the blaze, officials said.
The fire erupted in Robbins’ room at the front of the home, however authorities have declined to say exactly how it started or what caused a large explosion heard at the outset due to the ongoing investigation.
According to county booking records, Robbins was being held without bail pending his initial court appearance.
His arraignment date was not available, however criminal defendants are generally brought before a judge within two court days of arrest.
A search of Los Angeles County Superior Court records shows only one prior offense linked to Robbins — a 2009 conviction for public urination or defecation in Pasadena.
Sixteen other residents of the house were displaced by the fire.