Arrest made in Central Fresno apartment fire

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Investigators have arrested a suspect who they believe started an apartment fire in Central Fresno. The fire occurred at the Alpine Apartments on Ashlan Avenue near Fresno Street around 2 p.m. Sunday.

An ABC30 Insider captured photos as flames and smoke poured out of a unit. Firefighters say the person living there was not home at the time. The bedroom, bathroom and living room were all damaged, but the incident commander called for a second alarm to help protect the rest of the building.

"We wanted reserve staffing because the fire extended into the attic space above all the top-floor units. It's a two-story multi-family apartment, so we wanted extra horsepower to fight the fire," said Battalion Chief Thomas Cope of the Fresno Fire Department.

Action News has confirmed Rosendo Flores, 28, was booked into jail on arson and battery charges. There is no word yet on the motive.