YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – A suspect was behind bars after two apartments were destroyed by arson in Yuma Wednesday morning.

It happened at the Pepperwood Apartments on 3rd Avenue near 18th Street.

The fire broke out shortly after 5 a.m., according to the Yuma Police Department (YPD). When the Yuma Fire Department (YFD) arrived, they saw heavy smoke and fire coming from his second floor.

Firefighters put out the fire, but the apartment suffered heavy fire and smoke damage. Fortunately, no one lived in the apartment.

However, the ground floor apartment suffered fire and smoke damage and YFD declared the apartment uninhabitable. And the power to the other apartments was cut.

I spoke to an apartment owner and he told me what went through his mind when he escaped a fire.

“The only thing we did was get out as soon as possible.. All we wanted to do was save lives,” said apartment owner Arturo Canberos.

After declaring the fire to be intentional, YFD called YPD’s Investigation Unit for assistance. During the investigation, the Investigative Division arrested a 19-year-old man and charged him with setting fire to an occupied structure.

Meanwhile, the 19-year-old arson suspect appeared in court for the first time today.

He is in the Yuma County Jail on arson charges and is due to appear in court on Friday, February 10.

YFD and YPD have not reported any injuries in the investigation, but YPD encourages anyone to help regarding this incident.

If you have information about your case, you can call YPD at (928) 783-4421. You can also remain anonymous by calling her 78-CRIME number at (928) 782-7463.