Los Angeles: On Saturday, May 4, 2002, at 11:15 P.M., detectives from the Los Angeles Police Department, Robbery Homicide Division responded to the scene of a residential fire at 2833 Lakeridge Drive. The Los Angeles Fire Department extinguished the fire and located four dead bodies, three females and one male, inside the residence.

The fire was reported by one of the residents, 47 year-old Harish Kumar. Mr. Kumar was questioned by the detectives and has been cooperative with the investigation. Mr. Kumar confirmed that he lived at that residence with his wife, son, daughter, and mother.

The preliminary investigation conducted by the Los Angeles Fire Department Arson Investigators and detectives from the Los Angeles Police Department indicates that the fire may have been arson related.

No suspect or suspects have been identified or arrested at this time.

Robbery-Homicide Division Detectives Moberly and Pietrantoni are conducting the on-going homicide investigation along with the Los Angeles County Coroner's Office. The Coroner's Office will perform autopsies on the victims to determine the identity and the cause of death.

Anyone with information that may assist in this investigation is urged to contact the 24-hour toll free number at the Detective Information Desk, 1-877-LAWFULL.

This press release was prepared by Public Information Officer Eduardo Funes, Media Relations Section, 213-485-3586.