Eviction Prompts Fire And Murder/Suicide

"SANTEE, CA — The New Year has started off violently in a Santee neighborhood. Firefighters say an out of control man set his home on fire, threatened anyone coming near it, then killed his wife and himself.

The couple is believed dead inside their home located on the 8500 block of Clifford Heights Road in Santee.

"A thick plume of smoke raced out of a burning inferno. The heat was, so intense, it devoured the home's roof within minutes. A car out front also went up in flames.

"Small explosions from inside the house penetrated a quiet Santee neighborhood New Year's Day.

"Bursts of ammunition also rattled through the air. The danger forced sheriff deputies to escort an elderly woman out of harm's way. Firefighters had to stand back and watch.

"Santee Interim Fire Chief Richard Mattick said, `The individual inside made some threatening remarks as far as shooting anyone responding to the house and setting the house on fire.`

"Ruth Taloza received an air compressor from the man right before the house went up in flames. Taloza says he told her he was laid off from his job, his wife lost her's, and was dying from cancer.

"Taloza said, `He told me we are being evicted out of the house. We attempted to apply 6 times. Wells Fargo we didn't get it.`

"Two familes had to be evacuated. One of the homes received minor fire damage.

"Sheriff homicide detectives are now looking into the deaths. Preliminary reports claim the wife died of a gunshot in the house."

From sandiego6.com...