Police Seek Suspect in Meth-Fueled Fire
Police search for suspect, mother charged
Updated: Friday, 18 Feb 2011, 11:26 PM EST
Published : Friday, 18 Feb 2011, 5:15 AM EST

Julia
Harding
By MYFOXATLANTA STAFF/myfoxatlanta

ATLANTA - Gwinnett County fire authorities say three children who were injured in a Lilburn house fire have died. Now, they are looking for a suspect.

All three children died at Grady Hospital, one Thursday and two Friday, say Gwinnett Fire authorities.

The blaze broke out Thursday on the first floor of the Lilburn home. The children were trapped on the second level and were brought out a passerby who heard a woman screaming for her children. They were then transported to Grady Hospital.

The fire originated in a hallway between the kitchen and stairwell of the home. Chemicals used in the manufacturing of meth ignited, causing the fire, say Gwinnett fire officials.

Gwinnett police say they have identified a suspect -- Ivan Gonzales -- a Hispanic male about 5 feet, 7 inches and 190 pounds. He has a tattoo of Jesus on his leg. He is also known by an alias, John McGowan Torres.

Police say Gonzales was last seen possibly in a four door, gray or silver late model Honda Civic or Accord. When units initially arrived on the scene, they say Gonzales was trying to put out the fire with a garden hose. He appeared to be suffering from burns. He claimed the children were his and was not challenged when he left to follow the ambulance to the hospital.

Gonzales was initially picked up but never charged in connection with the stabbing deaths of two children near Lawrenceville last week, say police.

Gonzales faces carges of arson and murder, say police. The mother of the children -- Neibi Brito -- has been charged with Trafficking in Methamphetimine.

The case is being investigated by both Gwinnett Fire and Gwinnett Police.