A 17-year-old who was injured in a fire at his family home in unincorporated East Compton died, authorities said Thursday.
The teen was injured along with his grandmother in the fire, which was reported about 12:45 a.m. Monday in the 16300 block of Essey Avenue.
Two dogs were killed in the blaze. The older woman remains hospitalized in critical condition, authorities said.
The teen, Alex Razo, died at a hospital about 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, said coroner's Assistant Chief Ed Winter. An autopsy was pending.
"Arson/Explosives Detail detectives continue to investigate the cause of the fire, which remains undetermined," according to Deputy Juanita Navarro-Suarez of the Sheriff's Information Bureau.
Firefighters described encountering heavy smoke and fire when they arrived at the home, said Los Angeles County Fire Department Dispatch Supervisor Miguel Ornelas.
The flames were extinguished in about 15 minutes.
According to the family, the victim was transitioning to become male, and the family was wondering if the fire was a hate crime.
"They said it wasn't electrical and it wasn't gas," said Andrew Razo, when the fire was first reported. "Whoever intentionally did this, turn yourself in."
