 Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor WEST COVINA - Investigators are still determining the cause of an apartment fire July 25. A dog was rescued from the smoke-filled apartment unit in the 2100 block of South Lark Ellen Avenue Saturday. Firefighters were called at 12:35 p.m. and discovered heavy smoke pouring from a second-story unit. While firefighters implemented an aggressive fire attack, additional firefighters searched the affected unit and nearby units. The dog seemed to be unaffected, but was transported to be seen by a veterinarian as a precaution, according to the West Covina Fire Department. “Thanks to the swift actions of responding personnel, the fire was confined to the involved apartment and prevented from spreading to neighboring units,” according to the West Covina Fire Department in a written statement. Displaced residents were referred to the American Red Cross for assistance. Investigators do not believe the fire was intentional set. ********** Copyright 2026. All stories and original images published here are the exclusive property of SGV CityWatch and may not be republished in any form without the permission of this organization.  Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor WEST COVINA - A house fire claimed the life of a resident March 5. Pack rat conditions hindered firefighters’ ability to search the home in the 2100 block of E. Thackery Street. Firefighters were dispatched at 10:12 a.m., according to the West Covina Fire Department. Firefighters arrived five minutes later and saw smoke and flames from the home. A neighbor believed someone might still be inside, according to the West Covina Fire Department. “At approximately 10:37 a.m., firefighters located an elderly female inside the residence and removed her from the structure. Despite rapid intervention by firefighter/paramedics, the victim was pronounced deceased at the scene,” according to the West Covina. The fire was knocked down within 25 minutes. The victim was identified as 76-year-old Janet Capps. She died from inhalation of products of combustion and thermal burns. Her death was ruled accidental, according to the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner. The cause is currently under investigation by the West Covina Fire Department Investigation Unit with assistance from the West Covina Police Department, in coordination with regional investigation task forces. Damage to the home is estimated at approximately $200,000, according to the West Covina Fire Department. ********** The death record in this article is being redistributed by SGV CityWatch and is protected by constitutional, publishing and other legal rights. Information about the decedent(s), including cause and manner of death, is public record and was distributed by government sources. Copyright 2025. All stories and original images published here are the exclusive property of SGV CityWatch and may not be republished in any form without the permission of this organization.  Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor WEST COVINA - Foul play is not suspected in an apartment fire that killed a pet cat Saturday night. Firefighters were able to contain flames to one second-story unit at an apartment in the 1600 block of Amar Road. A pet rabbit was rescued and two residents require medical attention. Adjacent apartment units sustained water damage, according to the West Covina Fire Department. Residence occupying the affected apartment unit had already evacuated and nearby residence were evacuated with help from first responders. “Arson Investigators from our Fire Investigation Unit are investigating this incident with no foul-play suspected at this time,” according to the West Covina Fire Department in a written statement.  Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor WEST COVINA - After several hours of negotiations, a man was smoked out of a home November 12, after he attempted to blow up the residence. During negotiations, the suspect allegedly pointed a handgun at officers from within the home, according to the West Covina Police Department. First responders were called to the 700 block of North Broadmoor Avenue to a reported fire alarm call just before 1:30 a.m. The suspect within stated he wanted to burn his home down. “When officers arrived, the male subject, who was outside, quickly entered the residence. As officers approached the location they smelled an odor of gas and something burning. When officers attempted to make contact with the male, officers observed the subject walk up to a window and point a firearm at them,” according to the West Covina Police Department in a written statement. The West Covina SWAT Team responded, as well as a crisis negotiation team. Officers determined the suspect was alone in the residence, according to the West Covina Police Department. A search warrant was written. As negotiations continued to go nowhere, tear gas was propelled into the home. Suspect Michael Samaniego, 40, was arrested and booked on suspicion of assault on a peace officer with a firearm and resisting an officer by use of force, according to the West Covina Police Department. Samaniego is being held without bail ahead of a scheduled appearance in West Covina Superior Court November 14.  Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor WEST COVINA - An arson suspect was arrested Thursday, accused of igniting a fire at a street side electrical conduit box. Firefighters were sent to East Vine Street and Hollenbeck Avenue just before 3 p.m. Thursday, August 29. An investigation led firefighters to a suspicion of arson, according to the West Covina Fire Department. West Covina arson investigators and police officers arrived and a suspect was soon identified, located and arrested. Arrested was 34-year-old Christopher Delon Fleytas. He was booked on suspicion of arson, possession of an incendiary device and possession of methamphetamine. He also had an outstanding warrant for inflicting corporal injury on a spouse, according to the West Covina police department. Fleytas is being held in lieu of $80,000 bail in the Inmate Reception Center in Los Angeles ahead of a scheduled appearance in West Covina Superior Court September 4. ********** The arrest record in this article is being redistributed by SGV CityWatch and is protected by constitutional, publishing and other legal rights. Arrest information is public record and was distributed by government sources. The person named in this article has only been arrested on suspicion of the crime(s) listed and is presumed innocent.  Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor WEST COVINA - Police and arson investigators are continuing to investigate a fire that ignited inside a boys bathroom at South Hills High School Friday afternoon.
As of Saturday morning, no arrests have been made. No one was detained the day of the fire, according to Lt. Matt Nelson of the West Covina Police Department. First responders were sent to the school, 645 S. Barranca St., around 1:50 p.m. Friday, April 12. West Covina firefighters remained on scene for a little more than two hours to determine the cause. “It was contained in the boys restroom, there was no structural damage. They were trying to figure out the cause of it, which is inconclusive at this point,” Nelson told SGV CityWatch. Students were evacuated as a precaution.  Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor WEST COVINA - Illegal and dangerous fireworks were found near a quarter-acre brush fire that was extinguished in 20 minutes July 4, according to the West Covina Fire Department.
Firefighters spotted the flames at 10:33 p.m. while helping to close down the city’s July 4 event at the West Covina Sportsplex. The fire burned in the undeveloped parcels of land between two drainage ditches near Fairgrove Avenue and Aroma Drive, according to the West Covina Fire Department. Police were called prior to the brush fire for separate reports of illegal fireworks being set off and for trespassers on the property where the fire occurred, according to the West Covina Fire Department. incidentally, West Covina firefighters were conducting drills in the same area Friday, June 30. Anyone with information on who started the Fire is urged to call the West Covina Fire Department at 626-939-8824.  Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor WEST COVINA - Three occupants of an apartment complex lost their lives in an overnight fire, a West Covina Police Lieutenant said. The fire burned at Rollingwood Apartments, 1901 E. Amar Rd. The fire potentially also affected two other units, forcing at least two other residents to be displaced, authorities said. First responders were sent to the apartment complex before 1 a.m., Sunday, March 5. Some surrounding apartment units were evacuated as a precaution during the fire fight, according to Lt. Nelson of the West Covina Police Department. Los Angeles county fire department arson investigators were called to assist west Covina firefighters with determining the cause, Nelson told SGV CityWatch. The American Red Cross has been called to assist those displaced.  Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor WEST COVINA – The occupants of a residence were not home when their house went up in flames Monday afternoon. The house, a detached garage and a boat parked in the driveway all suffered extensive damage in the 400 block of North Phillips Avenue, according to the West Covina Fire Department. Los Angeles County firefighters assisted West Covina with extinguishing the flames. The West Covina Fire Department Fire Investigation Unit is determining the cause.  Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor WEST COVINA – A driver is dead after crashing into a tree on a west Covina street early Friday.
The driver died at the scene of the crash at South Nogales Street and Amanda Street. Authorities were called to the scene around 3:35 a.m., according to the West Covina Police Department. Only one vehicle was reportedly involved in the crash and the unidentified driver was the sole occupant, according to the West Covina Police Department. The West Covina Police Major Accident Investigation Team is determining how and why the crash happened. Anyone with information on this crash is urged to call the West Covina Police Department Tip Line at 626-939-8688 to remain anonymous. Information can also be provided anonymously by calling LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), through the P3Tips mobile app, or lacrimestoppers.org. |
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