Four suspects in Newhall fire await decision on charges
Prosecutors asked for more time to investigate the $13 million loss after a century-old commercial block burned down in August.
By Gabriela Ivanov ·
Four people arrested last week in connection with a large fire in Santa Clarita are still in custody or have been released while prosecutors review the evidence. The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office did not file criminal charges on Monday. Instead, prosecutors asked the sheriff's department to conduct further investigation before deciding on the case.
The arrests involved John Wright, 47, Cristian Leija, 43, Jesús Figueroa, 54, and Antoinette Ruiz, 35. All four were taken into custody on Thursday on suspicion of arson and conspiracy. The fire occurred on August 24 and caused an estimated $13 million in damage, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. Wright and Figueroa reside in Canyon Country, while Leija and Ruiz live in El Monte.
Ruiz was released from custody on Friday. Figueroa was released on Monday afternoon. Jail records indicate that Wright and Leija are likely to be released as well. Wright was arrested by a surveillance and detention team, while Figueroa was booked in San Dimas by major crimes investigators. No details have been released about how detectives identified the suspects or the specific circumstances of the alleged arson.
The fire started around 3 a.m. on the 24000 block of North Main Street. It destroyed a historic commercial complex that included the MAIN Theatre, Newhall Refinery restaurant, and Gary's Collision Center. The building was more than 100 years old. Firefighters arrived at 2:55 a.m. and requested reinforcements at 3:07 a.m. and 4:42 a.m. due to the intensity of the flames. A total of 112 firefighters and 58 units responded to the scene.
Keith Navarre, a spokesperson for the Los Angeles County Fire Department, stated that crews had to take defensive positions and use aerial ladders to surround and extinguish the fire. By 8 a.m., the flames were largely controlled, but crews continued to douse the complex and used excavators to remove smoldering structures. Navarre noted that the fire practically consumed the entire commercial building. One person was taken to a hospital about six hours after the report but was not considered injured by the fire.
The Santa Clarita Signal reported that Wright owned the collision center that burned down. He had recently lost a lawsuit over unpaid rent with the property owner just days before the fire. The report stated that Wright owed more than $50,000 in back rent and was ordered to pay or vacate. Wright claimed he was disputing the amount. He had also been involved in another fire in July 2025 at Halsey's Auto Shop, where investigators determined the cause and he received an insurance payout.
Detectives from the Arson and Explosives Unit worked with county officials to determine the origin and cause of the fire, which began in the body shop. The sheriff's department has asked anyone with information to call the unit at 323-881-7500. Those who prefer anonymity can contact Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477 or visit lacrimestoppers.org.
