Richmond man accused of killing family in house fire has arraignment delayed

RICHMOND – A Richmond man accused of setting a house fire that killed four members of his own family was back in court Monday, but his arraignment was pushed back after public defenders said they needed more time to review the case.

Sergio Rivera-Vega, 32, is charged with intentionally setting the fire that killed his father, his sister and her two young children, according to the Contra Costa County District Attorney's Office. He's now set to be formally arraigned Sept. 8. If convicted, he faces life without parole.

The delay comes just one day after police confirmed the children's mother died from her burn injuries, bringing the death toll to four. Investigators say Rivera-Vega was arrested at the scene of the fire on 15th Street near Macdonald Avenue, just beyond the police tape.

His father, 47-year-old Jose Rivera, and Jose's 5-year-old grandson, Andrew, died the day of the fire. Andrew's 2-year-old sister, Joline, died days later, and the children's mother, 33-year-old Maria, died Saturday.

Police have not said what they believe prevented the family from escaping.

Susy Jimenez, a neighbor whose home sits directly behind the Rivera-Vegas' house, was home the night of the fire and says she hasn't been able to shake the sound since.

"It was terrible, and I'm never gonna forget that day," Jimenez said.

She's left with questions of her own about what happened.

"I don't know, you know? I'm trying to figure out, I'm trying to imagine what happened," Jimenez said.

Jimenez now stands in front of a growing memorial outside the burned home, where candles, stuffed animals and chalk messages have been left on the sidewalk.

In recent days, people have donated about $70,000 to help Evelin Rivera, an aunt of the children, with funeral costs. Jimenez said she just wishes the victims could have their lives back.

"Now it's too late," she said.

A family friend told CBS News Bay Area that Maria was very friendly, and that her father, Jose, was known to the community as an extraordinary person who was very sweet with his grandchildren.