PHOENIX — Phoenix police have arrested a man suspected of intentionally setting a house fire Thursday where an 86-year-old woman's body was found.
On Friday, police said they identified 59-year-old Wayne Everett Tweed as a suspect in the arson case. Tweed allegedly fled the scene after starting the fire.
Tweed was taken into custody Friday night near 38th Drive and Rose Garden Lane after police surrounded the neighborhood for hours with guns drawn.
The relationship between the woman and Tweed is not currently known, but Phoenix police said he was staying on her property. Police are interviewing Tweed to try and figure out the motive behind setting the fire.
On Thursday, firefighters were called to the house near West Beardsley Road and 35th Avenue at 1:35 p.m. for reports of a structure fire. When crews arrived at the scene, they saw flames and smoke coming from the inside of a home, authorities said.
Engine 55, the first crew on the scene, saw the column of smoke from their fire station, about one and a half miles away. Firefighters began to attack the fire and found an elderly woman inside the living area of the home. Authorities said the woman was "beyond resuscitation."
A second victim was taken to the hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.
VERSIÓN EN ESPAÑOL: La policía de Phoenix busca a hombre sospechoso de iniciar incendio residencial donde murió una mujer
The deceased woman has been identified as Elizabeth Bell.
Neighbors told 12News they had been concerned for her well-being and Phoenix police said they were called to the home for welfare checks on the woman twice in September.
The Phoenix Fire Investigation Task Force and Phoenix police continue to investigate to determine the cause of the fire.
Authorities said no firefighter injuries were reported.
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