Sweetzer Arson Suspect Remains at Large

A jilted roommate who allegedly tossed a burning can of charcoal fluid into the top-floor unit of a four-story apartment building in West Hollywood, , remained at large Monday, authorities said.

No one was hurt in the fire, which was reported at 1:52 a.m. Sunday in the 1400 block of North Sweetzer Avenue. Los Angeles County firefighters had the arson fire out in about 20 minutes.

The female suspect remained at large early Monday afternoon, according to Sgt. Pauline Panis of the Sheriff's Headquarters Bureau.

About 100 tenants were evacuated during the blaze, Los Angeles County Fire Department Capt. Mark Savage said.

"This fire occurred as a result of a dispute between two ex-roommates," he said earlier. "The involved unit was occupied by one female adult at the time of the fire. The occupant safely escaped from the unit."

The sheriff's arson squad said the suspect broke a front window and threw an open container of charcoal lighter fluid with a burning object, possibly paper, into the victim's living room. She positively identified the suspect as her ex-roommate, but no information about the woman was released.

The fire caused $200,000 damage to the structure and about $100,000 damage to its contents, as the targeted apartment was gutted, and two apartments below it were damaged by water. Those three units were red-tagged or declared uninhabitable until repairs are made.

Stay up to date on West Hollywood news and events, by following @WehoPatch and “like” on Facebook.