Emiliano Lopez Figaroa, a 27-year-old Hispanic/Latino man who worked as a laborer, was one of five people killed in a devastating fire in Immokalee, Florida. His life was cut short in the early morning hours of March 4, 2007, when a blaze tore through the mobile home where he was sleeping.
The fire was reported at approximately 2:15 a.m. at a trailer located at 713 2nd Avenue. Ten people were inside the home at the time. When first responders arrived, the mobile home was engulfed in flames. Four of the residents were found deceased inside the trailer, while several others, including Emiliano, were rushed to area hospitals with injuries. Emiliano Lopez Figaroa later died at a hospital from the injuries he sustained in the fire.
The arson claimed four other lives: Pascuala Mendez, 34; her son, Rodrigo Mendez, 6; Luciana Vasquez, 13; and Adalmo Granado Ramos. Several other occupants of the trailer were also injured, some suffering from severe burns.
In the weeks that followed, Emiliano's sister, Elsa Lopez, and three of the survivors filed wrongful death and personal injury lawsuits against the owner of the trailer park.
Investigators from the Collier County Sheriff’s Office and the State Fire Marshal’s Office immediately noted the suspicious nature of the fire. Their investigation revealed that there had been a prior arson attempt on the same residence about a week earlier. Based on this history and evidence from the scene, authorities officially ruled the deadly fire an act of arson.
As of September 2022, the case remains an open homicide investigation. No suspects have been identified or arrested in connection with the fire that killed Emiliano Lopez Figaroa and four others. The case is unsolved, and authorities are asking for the public’s help. A cash reward is available for any information that leads to the identification and arrest of the person or persons responsible. Anyone with information is urged to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS.
