Authorities point out that the presence of operational smoke detectors can reduce the risk of death in residential fires by more than 50%.
In a shocking turn of events, three men have been charged in connection with a house fire that resulted in serious injuries to a woman in Statesville last October.
Oscar Humberto Bernal-Ardon, 33, Rudy Ardon Santos, 33, and Oscar Armando Larin, 45, all of Statesville, now face charges of first-degree arson, the department confirmed Statesville Police Department in an official statement.
The fire, which broke out shortly after 4 a.m. Oct. 14 at 520 Bond St., was thoroughly investigated by the Statesville Police Department and the Statesville Fire Department . Investigators concluded the fire was intentionally set.
Jail records indicate Bernal-Ardon and Larin were residents on the premises when the fire broke out.
The victim, Miladis T. Bonilla-Alarcon, suffered severe burns and had to be rushed to Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center for urgent medical treatment, according to police reports.
According to testimony, Alarcon’s boyfriend, Elvin Ivan Ardon Santos, was the first to sense danger when he woke up to the smell of gas and found the house on fire. In a heroic effort, Elvin managed to escape to seek help, but soon realized that Alarcon was still inside. He bravely smashed a bedroom window to save her after flames made the main entrance inaccessible.
Arrest warrants were then issued for Bernal-Ardon, Rudy Santos and Larin. The suspects were captured Nov. 1 in Dallas, Texas, and were extradited to the Iredell County Detention Center on Nov. 26, according to Statesville police.
Regarding bail, Bernal-Ardon faces an amount set at $250,000, Rudy Santos faces $100,000, while Oscar Larin remains held without bail.
The Statesville Police Department encourages anyone with relevant information regarding this case to contact 704-878-3406.
This report was compiled by Sarah Johnson, courts and breaking news reporter for the Statesville Record & Landmark.
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