Man accused of manslaughter in deadly Phoenix mobile home fire

PHOENIX - A man was arrested in connection to a mobile home fire in Phoenix that left two people dead.

The fire happened at around 9:45 a.m. on Nov. 24 near 24th Street and Union Hills Drive.

Firefighters responded to extinguish the flames and found two people dead.

The victims, 32-year-old Sergio Rosales Zavala and 38-year-old David Hernandez Estrada, are remembered by their loved ones who were left in mourning before the holidays.

Investigators say after processing the scene and conducting interviews, they arrested 22-year-old Joel Hernandez Anaya.

"In his post Miranda interview, Joel made incriminating statements and was booked into Maricopa County Jail on multiple felony charges to include, two counts of Reckless Manslaughter, a class 2 felony and two counts of attempted Manslaughter, a class 3 felony," Phoenix Police said.

The suspect reportedly admitted to starting the fire and being on drugs when it happened.

"Mr. Hernandez admitted that he poured gasoline on a pile of clothes inside the trailer that created the fire that led to the two victims' deaths," a prosecutor said in court.

Hernandez Anaya reportedly admitted to excessive cocaine and methamphetamine use throughout the night. Court documents say it was the smell on his clothes he was trying to get rid of when he doused them in gasoline.

A lit cigarette near the gasoline caused the explosion.

"The state is concerned he is a danger to the community and a flight risk," the prosecutor said.

The judge ordered a $500,000 cash bond for the undocumented Mexican national, fearing he may flee to his family in Mexico.