A male suspect was arrested on Monday in connection with a fire that heavily damaged an apartment building under construction on Heliotrope Drive in East Hollywood and displaced 20 residents in nearby structures.

The fire damaged an apartment building under construction on Heliotrope Drive, as well as neighboring structures. (photo by Edwin Folven)

The fire was reported just after 6 a.m. on June 12 at a three-story building at 421 N. Heliotrope Drive. More than 100 firefighters extinguished the blaze in 42 minutes, said Los Angeles Fire Department spokesman Erik Scott. A female firefighter was also treated for “non-life threatening” injuries, Scott added.

Authorities said the fire was arson. Residents notified LAFD investigators about a man who may have been starting fires in the neighborhood and he was taken into custody a short distance from the scene. The man was identified as Benicio Garcia, 20. He was booked for arson and is being held on $75,000 bail. Scott said the investigation is ongoing and had no further information.

The heat broke multiple windows in an apartment building next door and damaged a neighboring home. The 20 people displaced, including 10 children, lived in the neighboring apartment building and residence. Representatives of the American Red Cross helped the displaced residents find temporary housing.

The exact cause of the blaze and the loss remain under investigation.