PACOIMA - A man was arrested Friday in connection with an apparent arson fire at a Pacoima apartment in which a woman was found dead, authorities said Friday.

John Herreres, 37, of Pacoima was booked on suspicion of arson and held in lieu of $250,000 bail, said Los Angeles Police Department Officer Norma Eisenman of the Media Relations office.

The investigation was continuing, and Herreres could face further charges, Eisenman said.

Investigators were working to determine if the woman whose body was found in the residence in the 12200 block of Osborne Place had been killed. An autopsy was pending.

Authorities withheld her name pending notification of relatives. But a young woman told ABC7 that the dead woman was her 65-year-old grandmother.

Firefighters went to the location about 3:50 p.m. Thursday, after the building's manager saw smoke seeping through the bottom of the apartment's front door, said Detective Pat Barron of the LAPD's Foothill Station.

When firefighters entered the unit, the blaze was already out, Barron said. He said firefighters walked through the apartment and discovered the bodies of the woman and a small dog.

Damage was estimated at $15,000, the Los Angeles Fire Department reported.

Source: Daily News Wire Services - Link