Fire Destroys Pasadena Garage, Wipes Out Family Belongings

A Pasadena family is preparing to move into a new residence after a fire destroyed their garage on Monday night, leaving them without most of their personal possessions.

The father, who requested his face not be shown, arrived home on Tuesday morning to find the structure burned to the ground. The family had stored their items there while construction work was completed inside their previous home. Lost property included a washer, a dryer, boxes of clothing, toys, and music memorabilia. The father specifically noted the loss of his entire CD collection, record collection, and numerous boxes of comic books and toys.

Pasadena Fire Marshal officials determined that a homeless man was digging through the stored belongings when he set them on fire. The man has been arrested and faces two charges: burglary and intoxication. Neighbors reported seeing a person inside the garage tossing items around before the fire became visible.

Prior to the incident, the family noticed items disappearing from the garage and suspected theft. The father stated that his primary concern now is the safety of his wife and children. He has an 11-year-old son with autism and a nine-year-old son. The father said the younger child does not fully comprehend the situation, which causes pain for the family as they begin the process of starting over.

The family is now facing the task of replacing their lost belongings as they settle into their new home. The fire occurred on Monday night, and the man was arrested following the incident. Officials confirmed the cause of the fire was intentional. The family had been storing their goods there only temporarily during the renovation of their old house.