In 1984, the community grieved over the loss of four slayed innocent lives. Glendale's ex captain, John Orr, was to blame for the tragedy that left Pasadena heartbroken and scared. Orr was viewed as a dedicated and honest man after being captain in the fire department for over 20 years. Orr, born April 26, 1949, was known as a convicted arsonist. After not succeeding with his original dreams of becoming a police officer, he then, pursued his career in being a firefighter. Failing the entrance exam for the police academy was a huge disappointment to Orr, but he quickly recovered. Arson investigators knew John as “The Pillow Pyro.” In the late 1900s, Los Angeles Fire Department was disturbed with numerous amount of calls with several fires arising. Millions of dollars were spent in damages, soon finding the suspect to be John Orr. John Orr was convicted of many fires, convicted with crimes, and charged with arson. …show more content…
The store completely vanished, killing four people in the blaze. Two year old, Matthew and a juvenile employee, Jimmy were two victims that were killed in the fire. Detectives announced the reason for the fire was because of the use of a of highly flammable product. The fire quickly spread. Due to his arrest in the early 1900s, Orr was found guilty and charged with arson. Orr was very discrete about the ways he would set the fires, an incendiary timing-device, usually comprising a lit cigarette, three matches wrapped in yellow writing paper and secured by a rubber band, Orr would use this tactic in stores while they were open and populated. Orr would also set small fires on grass hills in order to distract the firefighters so that Orr can continue his hannus