Southern California man burns down home after family argument, authorities say

A 46-year-old man was arrested for allegedly threatening to harm a dog before burning down his family’s home in San Bernardino County after an argument.

The suspect was identified as Clifton Bedore, 46, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.

On July 4, fire crews from the Twin Peaks station were called to the Crestline home on Arth Drive at around 9 a.m. as they were participating in a Fourth of July parade near Lake Gregory.

“The initial challenge was getting out of the parade,” said Eric Sherwin, a San Bernardino County Fire spokesperson. “We had our lights on, the sirens going, everybody cheering, but when that transitioned into a response, there was a little bit of confusion from the crowd as we tried to get out of the parade and en route to the fire.”

A 46-year-old man was arrested for allegedly burning down his family’s home in Crestline, San Bernardino County after an argument with his brother on July 4, 2026. (OnScene.TV)

A 46-year-old man was arrested for allegedly burning down his family’s home in Crestline, San Bernardino County after an argument with his brother on July 4, 2026. (KTLA)

A 46-year-old man was arrested for allegedly burning down his family’s home in Crestline, San Bernardino County after an argument with his brother on July 4, 2026. (OnScene.TV)

When they arrived, they found the house fully engulfed, with heavy smoke billowing into the air.

Residents and fire officials said there is always a fear that any active fire could quickly become massive due to dry, windy summer weather, especially in mountain towns like Crestline.

“It was engulfed and my first reaction was, ‘I have a 5-year-old son and two dogs,’” a neighbor told KTLA’s Shelby Nelson. “I need to get out of this house and then immediately the tears started rolling because I felt like, wow, we could just lose everything within seconds.”

Deputies arrived at the home first and extinguished a fire upstairs, but after discovering a larger fire in the back of the home, firefighters were called to the scene.

The man who called 911 said that his brother, Bedore, had made “criminal threats” against his dog before the fire was ignited. When authorities arrived and ordered Bedore to exit the home, he reportedly refused to cooperate. He was eventually taken into custody and the fire was extinguished.

Neighbors told KTLA that an elderly woman used to live in the home that is now occupied by her adult sons. They claim the home has been an ongoing source of issues ranging from loud arguments to alleged substance abuse

“One brother was already threatening to do this about four to five months ago,” a neighbor said.

Court records show the suspect, Bedore, has a criminal record with prior felony convictions. He has since been charged with felony arson and remains in custody on $1 million bail.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.

Tags: