Illegal Alien is the Suspect in Westlake Fire That Killed Five

Five people are dead after an illegal alien allegedly set fire to a vacant building in the Westlake District of Los Angeles.

Johnny Josue Sanchez, 21, allegedly started the blaze after a dispute with other transients at the site, a large vacant commercial building at 2411 W. Eighth Street near MacArthur Park. He has been arrested for drug possession, domestic abuse, and breaking and entering. Now he faces 5 counts of murder.

Those killed include Jerry Dean Clemons, 59, and Mary Ann Davis, 44. Authorities have not yet been able to identify two further male and one female victims.

The two-story building was officially uninhabited, but a number of people believed to be homeless had been seen there.

One body was discovered Monday, but four more were not found until Tuesday afternoon, as the building was too unstable to finish the search immediately, city fire officials said.

A suspect identified as 21-year-old Johnny Sanchez has been taken into custody for allegedly intentionally starting the fire following a dispute with other residents.

"His intent was to light the fire with the hopes of killing these individuals, or at least one individual," said Billy Hayes, commanding officer of the LAPD's Robber-Homicide division.

One hundred and forty seven firefighters took over two hours to put out the blaze Monday night in the Westlake district, less than two kilometers from downtown LA.