Three men have been arrested in connection with an arson that occurred at 1020 S. Quebec Street in Arlington, Virginia, on May 15, 2025. The Arlington County Fire Department’s Office of the Fire Marshal announced the arrests following a months-long investigation.
The fire broke out around 4:50 a.m. at garden apartments on S. Quebec Street and affected 32 residents. Fire crews rescued several occupants, and multiple people were taken to hospitals for smoke inhalation injuries.
Investigators found evidence at the scene suggesting the fire was suspicious. A criminal investigation was conducted by the Arlington County Office of the Fire Marshal with support from Arlington County Police and other agencies. The investigation led to strong evidence of arson.
Marvin Adelso Hernandez Lopez, 18, of Arlington, was arrested on August 27 and charged with Arson, Conspiracy to Commit Arson, Possession of Fictitious Identification, Firearm: Possess by Foreign Alien and Reckless Handling of a Firearm: No Serious Bodily Injury. Wilmer Agustin De Leon, 20, also of Arlington, was arrested on September 9 and charged with Arson and Conspiracy to Commit Arson. Erasbiel Flores, 22, of Woodbridge, was arrested on September 9 as well and faces charges of Arson and Conspiracy to Commit Arson. All three are being held without bond at the Arlington County Detention Facility.
Authorities say this remains an active criminal investigation. They ask anyone with information related to the case to contact the Arlington County tip line or provide information anonymously through Crime Solvers.
Arlington County is home to a single public school district that enrolled over 27,500 students during the most recent school year (https://www.doe.virginia.gov/home). Among its schools is Washington Liberty High School—the largest in enrollment—serving nearly 2,900 students (https://www.doe.virginia.gov/home). White students made up about 42% of all county public school students last year; Hispanic students accounted for just over 30% (https://www.doe.virginia.gov/home).
