A California community is reeling after a horrifying house fire claimed the lives of a mother, her teenage son, and the woman’s boyfriend — who investigators now reportedly believe may have started the deadly blaze himself.
The tragic fire broke out in the early morning hours of Thursday, May 14, at a home in Montebello, California, leaving behind a scene neighbors described as pure horror.
According to local reports, the victims have been identified as Rossy Borquez, her 13-year-old son Atiel, and Borquez’s boyfriend, whom police now believe may have been responsible for the fire.
Neighbors Describe Horrific Scene
Montebello Police officers rushed to the home around 4:30 a.m. after receiving reports of a massive fire.
By the time first responders arrived, the home was reportedly fully engulfed in flames.
Police discovered a badly burned man and woman outside the home. Both were rushed to a nearby hospital but later died from their injuries.
Inside the destroyed house, firefighters found Borquez’s 13-year-old son, Atiel, dead.
One shaken neighbor, Alisson Gomez, told local station ABC 7 she witnessed terrifying moments as the victims stumbled outside.
“We saw a man and a lady just burning,” Gomez recalled. “Honestly, all her skin was off. Her hair burnt off completely, and she was just screaming for her son.”
The fire was so intense it reportedly knocked out power in the area and forced nearby residents to evacuate their homes.
Investigators Believe Fire Was Domestic Violence Related
While authorities initially said there were no outstanding suspects, investigators now reportedly believe the boyfriend who died in the blaze may have intentionally started the fire.
Montebello Police Chief Luis Lopez told reporters the case appears to be linked to domestic violence.
“We believe the male involved in this case is the suspect,” Lopez said. “We do believe this is a domestic violence incident.”
Detectives are now working to piece together what happened in the hours and days leading up to the deadly fire in hopes of determining a motive.
TikTok Relationship Took Dark Turn
Friends of Borquez say the relationship had become increasingly toxic in recent weeks.
According to family friend Hermalinda Anaya, Borquez met the man on TikTok and had been dating him for around eight months before the tragedy unfolded.
Anaya claimed Borquez recently confided that her boyfriend had become controlling and jealous.
The friend alleged the man accused Borquez of seeing other men, took away her cellphone, and even warned people to stay away from her.
“She told me she’s so mad, she’s so upset at all the things that he do,” Anaya said in an interview with ABC 7.
According to Anaya, the boyfriend allegedly told Borquez: “I’m not gonna let you, nobody else be with you because I paid for your surgery, and I’m not gonna let you be with nobody else.”
Family Left Devastated
Borquez’s older daughter released an emotional statement remembering her mother as a hardworking woman who sacrificed everything for her children.
“She was the most hardworking person I have ever known,” the grieving daughter said.
“She went to another country without knowing the language just so her younger child could have better opportunities.”
The daughter also spoke about the unbearable grief of losing both her mother and younger brother in such a horrific way.
“I’m devastated, angry and missing my brother and mother,” she said. “They were victims, and now there’s no one to take accountability and direct my anger towards.”
Authorities continue investigating the deadly blaze as loved ones mourn a mother and son whose lives ended in unimaginable tragedy.
Horrible!
(Is there anyone living in California who isn’t Hispanic???????)