By Jonathan J. Cooper
The Associated Press via chron.com
PHOENIX — A soldier based in Texas has been arrested in the 2001 death of a firefighter who died while battling an arson fire at a west Phoenix supermarket, Fire Capt. Willie Nelson said Monday.
Christopher Benitez, 26, was arrested Saturday at Fort Hood, Texas, on suspicion of murder and arson of an occupied structure.
He is accused of igniting cardboard boxes behind the Southwest Supermarket, starting a fire that jumped to the store and spread through the attic as firefighters worked below. Eight-year veteran firefighter Bret Tarver, 40, was killed in the blaze.
Full story: Tarver died after he became disoriented in thick smoke