Barricaded burglary suspect arrested after Pacoima home catches on fire

A burglary suspect, who had barricaded himself inside a Pacoima home, was arrested on Thursday morning after a fire broke out. 

The hours-long barricade began around 2:40 a.m. when police received a call about a burglary at a home in the 13200 block of Piney Street. Officer Charles Miller said responding units didn't find any evidence of a burglary or find a suspect, but they received additional calls that someone had broken into a neighbor's home. 

Officers evacuated both families and located the suspect in the garage. Miller said he refused to come out, and that's when additional resources were requested. 

Aerial footage of the scene showed flames erupting soon after the LAPD deployed gas into the house. SWAT teams tried to enter the home as thick black smoke quickly began coming out of the windows. 

Miller said the cause of the fire is still being investigated. 

SWAT teams were also seen using a robot to try to gain access to the home. Shortly before 8 a.m., authorities entered the home and the suspect was taken into custody. The suspect was taken to the hospital and was treated for minor injuries. 

Juan Martinez, who owns the home that caught fire, said officers told him to file a claim with the city and his insurance for the damages.

"This is my first house," Martinez said. "My child was born in this one."

He had rented it to a family for the past 20 years. The renters, one of whom was still wearing her pajamas and rain-soaked robe, tried to salvage anything they could after the standoff. 

"It's gone," Martinez said. "Nothing is good."