SDPD: FIRE THAT KILLED 3 A MURDERSUICIDE

A house fire that killed two men and a woman in Mountain View last week was intentionally set in what appears to be a murder-suicide, homicide and fire investigators said Thursday.

The woman was identified as Katia Valdiva, 44. One of the men was identified as her 26-year-old son, Angel. They both lived at the house, San Diego police Lt. Matt Dobbs said.

Investigators had not yet

identified the other man, Dobbs said.

“What roles each individual played in the incident” remained under investigation, the lieutenant said.

The blaze was reported about 6:15 a.m. April 1 at a house on South 38th Street between Superior Street and Franklin Avenue.

Dobbs said Thursday that the fire was set in “multiple points” in the house and that gasoline was used as an accelerant. He added that witnesses who were “out and about” at the time of the fire did not see any anyone fleeing the home. He also said the front security door was locked.

Dobbs previously said the bodies were found near the front door, the only entrance to the house.

Neighbors said they heard screams for help but were unable to assist.

Dobbs said autopsies revealed that Katia and Angel Valdiva and the other man died of fire-related injuries.

“There were no significant traumatic injuries found” on their bodies, Dobbs said.

The fire caused an estimated $200,000 in damage to the structure and an estimated $100,000 in damage to its contents, according to the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department.