El Centro, California - This morning ECPD and ECFD handled a large structure fire in the Downtown El Centro area at 6th and Main Streets. The information we have thus far is as follows;

Monday, February 11, 2019, at 3:37AM, a Patrol Sergeant followed a smoke trail to 598 Main Street.  A plate glass window that had been shattered on the west side of the building which second story was on fire inside the structure. The El Centro Fire Department was summoned to assist with the structure fire.

A witness in the area saw a subject walking from the area of the burning building and was carrying a ladder.  The subject was last seen leaving the area BMX style bicycle and rode off north on 6th Street. The subject was described as wearing all black. Based on the circumstances and evidence at this time, arson is suspected.  Power outages associated with the fire impacted the general area and was done so at the direction of ECFD for safety precautions.

If anyone has information regarding this case, please contact the El Centro Police Department Criminal Investigations Division, Detective Hernandez, at 760-337-4525 or via email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..