Police Arrest Man Suspected of Arson after domestic dispute

MENIFEE - A fire that damaged the first floor of a two-story home near Menifee allegedly was purposely set by one of the residents and followed a domestic assault, police said today.

Edwin Martin Monsen Jr., 45, was arrested and charged for suspicion of arson, assault with a deadly weapon, domestic violence, animal cruelty and making criminal threats, court and jail records show.

A dog died and Monsen's 51-year-old woman companion suffered smoke inhalation in the Monday evening fire on Sussex Stakes Street in a subdivision just east of the Menifee city limits.

Police allege Monsen threatened t...