Cuban man accused of murder for intentional fire that left two dead in Miami-Dade

A 61-year-old Cuban identified as Jorge Marín Calderín has been arrested by the authorities of Miami-Dade County after being accused of causing a fire that resulted in two fatalities in September 2024.

Marín Calderín faces multiple charges: two for second-degree murder, two for attempted aggravated murder, and one for first-degree arson.

The tragic event occurred in the early hours of September 27, 2024, when, around 3 a.m., agents from the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office and fire rescue teams responded to a fire in a house located at 1918 Northwest 53rd Street, in Brownsville, an unincorporated area of Miami-Dade.

Inside the home, firefighters found Amaury Aguilera Ramos, 29, and Bárbara Tamayo Guerrero (58), unconscious and in separate rooms.

Both were urgently transferred to the Ryder Trauma Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital in critical condition, but later died due to the severity of their injuries.

An autopsy determined that both victims died from "thermal injuries and inhalation of combustion products", and classified their deaths as homicide, according to the arrest warrant for Marín Calderín.

In September, shortly after the fire, Marín Calderín gave an exclusive interview to Local 10 News, where he showcased the damage to the house.

So, the authorities had not yet filed charges against him. Now, months later, the forensic findings and the fire department's investigation have ultimately pointed to him as the alleged perpetrator of the fatal fire.

The version by Marín Calderín and the initial doubts

In the beginning, Marín Calderín, who also lived in the house along with two other people who managed to escape unharmed, stated to investigators that he was sleeping when the smoke detector alarm woke him up.

He stated that when he opened the door to his room, he found "two mattresses in the hallway, partially blocking his door," and that when he tried to squeeze through them, his clothing caught fire, causing burns to his back, buttocks, and hands.

However, according to the court order, "no evidence of burning mattresses was found in the hallway." There are also other circumstances surrounding the fire that caught the attention of the investigators.

"Marín Calderín was the only occupant who left the house fully dressed, with keys, phone, wallet, and religious artifacts in hand," the order specifies.

Conclusion of the investigators: Intentional fire

Fire investigators determined that the fire was "incendiary" and that there were "multiple points of origin intentionally set."

Furthermore, it was discovered that "an accelerant was poured over the doors and the frames of the rooms, except for the bedroom door (of Marín Calderín)."

One of the key elements in the accusation was the Cuban's clothing.

"The sweater of Marín Calderín that was burned during the fire later tested positive for traces of gasoline," authorities revealed.

The court order also states that "a positive trace of an accelerant on the clothing is consistent with having been poured or splashed," and emphasizes that it is unlikely that gasoline was transferred solely through contact with the flames.

On the other hand, it was reported that the clothing of the two deceased victims tested negative for traces of an accelerant.

So far, the authorities have not revealed what the motive might be behind the alleged arson. Additionally, detectives noted that "the surveillance video showed that the fire ignited quickly and that no one approached or entered the house in the moments leading up to it catching fire."

Marín Calderín was arrested this Monday and, after appearing before the court, was assigned a public defender and ordered to be held without bail at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Intentional Fire Case in Miami-Dade