Arsonist Sought in House Fire That Hurt Woman, Dog in Yorba Linda

Possibly disgruntled contractor torched a Yorba Linda home Nov. 3, injuring a woman and her dog

Firefighters are looking for a man seen in surveillance video torching a Yorba Linda house and causing a blaze that hurt a 20-year-old woman and her dog who were inside.

The video, released Wednesday, shows a heavyset man torching the home then disappearing.

"He might have been burned when the vapors ignited, just before he threw a container of fuel through the broken window," said Capt. Steve Concialdi of the Orange County Fire Authority.

A woman and dog named Buddy were treated for smoke inhalation after the blaze. The Nov. 3 fire caused nearly $1 million in damages.

In the video, the man wearing a red pullover jacket can be seen hurling an object through a window then briefly becoming enveloped in flames. He took off on a BMX bike, officials said.

He's described as having a dark complexion, brown or black hair, and wearing clear glasses. He may have suffered burns to his right hand, arm and face as well as singed facial hair.

He was last seen wearing bluejeans and the red pullover jacket which may have also been burned.

Neighbors remember the fire because of how hot and fast it burned.

They talked about glass breaking, huge flames and smoke and how the family is devastated.

James Bigani, who was washing his truck when the fire broke out, said it sounded like a gunshot.

The woman was inside the home taking a shower. She was alerted by a smoke detector and by her barking dog.

She got out but the fire took off in the attic and gutted the home.

Neighbors say the daytime attack has put them on edge.

They said the family installed cameras after a dispute with a contractor. The home had flooded and was recently repaired.

Anyone with information was asked to call the Orange County Fire Authority Investigations Services Section at 714-573-6720 or ocfainvestigator@ocfa.org.

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