Click the play button on the video window to the right to see the storyPHOENIX -- A military man from Texas has been arrested in connection with the deadly fire that killed a Phoenix firefighter in March of 2001.
Phoenix Fire Investigator Jack Valentine confirmed that 24-year-old Christopher Benitez, who had been considered an investigative lead in the case for the last year, was arrested in Fort Hood on July 4th.
The victim, 40-year-old Bret Tarver, was inside the burning Phoenix grocery store near 35th Avenue and McDowell Road when he ran out of oxygen.
He was pulled out before the building collapsed, but didn't make it.
Now, Deputy Fire Chief Frank Saloman remembers being inside the burning building with Tarver when he heard him yell for help.
"It just sounded like he was right there that you could just reach out and grab him," said Saloman.
Click here to watch extended ABC15.com interview with Saloman
As Salomon kept looking for Tarver, he said he came close to death because he lost his hose line.
Salomon's said his breathing apparatus vibrated, which indicated he had just five minutes of air left.
That's when he said he literally bumped into two other lost firefighters inside the dark, smoke-filled grocery store filled with produce all over the floor.
Then, a third firefighter came by and gave Salomon a hose to lead him outside.
Saloman said it's a miracle the building kept burning as long as it did, because had the roof collapsed sooner, he believes he and numerous other firefighters could have died.
Valentine said Ft. Hood military police brought Benitez home from a tour of duty in Iraq so he could be arrested for the arson.
Firefighters have said Benitez's cousin, Michael Torrez, also admitted to being at the scene the night of the arson.
Valentine said it is up to the Maricopa County Attorney's office to determine whether hey will pursue charges against Torrez as well.
The fire began in some trash boxes outside the store, but quickly spread to the supermarket.
Investigators said the arson may have been an act of revenge since Benitez had been arrested for shoplifting at the same store.
"Bringing him to justice, it's a good feeling," said Salomon.
Many changes made since Tarver's death
Click here to see story about changes Phoenix Fire Dept. has madeTarver’s death prompted many changes in the way the Phoenix Fire Department approach a fire.
Captain Hugh Chase explained how when a firefighter is trapped or lost there is now a small rapid response team dedicated solely to the rescue.
They arm themselves with a spare air tank, tools to cut away debris, extra flashlights, plus light sticks and safety lines to help them mark their path.
There have also been modifications to their gear and equipment.
For example, on the masks of their air tanks you will now find a series of lights that tell the firefighters and those working around him that he is low on air.
Their coats have also been changed to incorporate a harness system.
The harness is connected to a handle at the back of the neck so that you can easily pull a firefighter to safety.
