Woman Arrested in Long Beach Apartment Arson Fire

Editor's Note: The information was given to reporters on Tuesday about the arrest four days earlier, and there was no explanation about the delay, but we want our readers to know Patch will offer the public news as soon as possible.

A 26-year-old Long Beach woman was arrested on suspicion of arson in connection with a fire at a Long Beach apartment building near Junipero and 11th Street, authorities say.

Konny Hernandez was jailed Friday after she allegedly set fire to an apartment building on the 2300 block of East 11th Street around 3:10 p.m., Long Beach Fire Department Capt. Brandt said.

Witnesses spotted the fire and called the fire department, which quickly extinguished the flames, Brandt said. There were no injuries reported.

Hernandez allegedly fled the scene after the fire started and was later located that same day in the area of 10th Street and Daisy Avenue and booked into custody by Long Beach Police Department officers, Brandt said. Hernandez was booked on one felony count of attempted arson of an inhabited building and was being held in lieu of $75,000 bail, Brandt said.

Arson investigators presented the case against Hernandez to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's office Tuesday, Brandt said.

``Right now we are still trying to determine what her motive was for setting the fire,'' Brandt said. ``We are also trying to determine whether she was involved in any of our recent rash of small fires.''

Hernandez was previously arrested last Wednesday by Long Beach police and booked on an unknown misdemeanor charge. She posted $750 bail on that charge and was released the next day, one day before the alleged arson, according to Los Angeles County jail records. There was no available information regarding the disposition of that misdemeanor charge.

--City News Service