Police search for Fresno beating, arson suspect

Manuel Canez is considered dangerous. Police want to talk to him about his girlfriend's injuries and the torched home.

Investigators say the fire was intentionally set after the suspect threatened to kill his girlfriend and burn their house down. When the victim went to the hospital early Monday morning, the house went up in flames.

Arson investigators say a fire early Monday morning started in the victim's bedroom, after the second domestic blowout this weekend.

Arson Investigator, Lee Wilding said, "He made threats to burn down the house at that time and then left the scene. Or left the house and then she was transported to the hospital and approximately an hour and a half later he was or, the fire occurred."

Investigators say the victim, who suffered a broken nose and black eyes was not only beaten, but also threatened before she sought treatment twice in 24 hours at Community Regional Medical Center. The victim had just returned home to recover from the first beating when police say the suspect broke into the home Sunday night. Police consider Canez violent and dangerous.

Daniel Macias said, "Since he made that threat that he would burn down the house and he would kill her and he actually followed through with that threat, that's the reason we are asking for the public's help today to try to locate him."

The fire destroyed several rooms in the home and the heat from the flames melted two cars in the neighbor's driveway. Investigators say Canez has a history of domestic violence and was arrested about two weeks ago for another incident involving the same victim.