Fire Lover
Joseph Wambaugh
A book-length account for readers who want more detail.
1984–1991 · South Pasadena, California
John Orr & the California arson fires
Featured in Deadly Secrets
A 1984 hardware-store fire killed four people in South Pasadena. Fire investigator John Orr was later convicted of murder and arson. Reporting, books, a podcast, and dramatizations examine how an investigator came to be identified as the arsonist.
EXPLORE THE CASE
The Story
When1984–1991
WhereSouth Pasadena, California
In this collection4 resources
Start here.
Choose a book, screen story or audio episode from this case’s collection.
Deadly Secrets — A Fire Inside
Investigation Discovery · Season 1, Episode 5 · Listed air date 2019-02-21
Explore this screen title and its source details before choosing a service.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Amazon buttons marked “paid link” may earn us a commission. Affiliate disclosure
Where are they now?
No reviewed items have been added to this section yet.
Nicknames & media names
No reviewed items have been added to this section yet.
EXPLORE THE CASE
Blogs & Essays
Read our articles here and explore outside perspectives, credited to their writers and publications. See this case in the Journal →
From the journal
No reviewed items have been added to this section yet.
Blogs & essays
No reviewed items have been added to this section yet.
EXPLORE THE CASE
Books
CONTINUE YOUR READING
Search this case on Amazon · paid linkSearch results may include unrelated titles. Check the author, edition, and case connection before purchasing.
Explore Reading & Streaming Options · Our case guides are free.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Amazon buttons marked “paid link” may earn us a commission. Affiliate disclosure
Books
1 itemsJoseph Wambaugh
Fire Lover
A nonfiction account of the investigation into John Orr. The Google Books record identifies the subject and edition; preview access varies.
BookAccess Varies · Check Source
Link Check PendingReport a Link (Email)
Search Amazon · paid linkExplore this book
Title search; Amazon availability is not confirmed. Check the edition, format, and viewing region.
EXPLORE THE CASE
Movies & TV
Movies
1 itemsAbout these sources
Watch links, previews and title listings are identified below. Rentals or subscriptions may be required.
HBO · 2002 · dramatized film
Point of Origin
The John Orr investigation inspired this television film starring Ray Liotta. The linked overview documents the connection; streaming availability is not established by this listing.
Screen TitleTitle Details · Not Playback
Link Check PendingReport a Link (Email)
Search Amazon · paid linkViewing options & film details
Title search; Amazon availability is not confirmed. Check the edition, format, and viewing region.
TV & documentaries
1 itemsAbout these sources
Episodes, documentaries and title listings. Season and episode numbers follow the linked catalog and can differ by service. Air dates are separate from crime dates. Playback availability varies by service and region.
Investigation Discovery · Season 1, Episode 5 · Listed air date 2019-02-21
Deadly Secrets — A Fire Inside
Includes coverage of John Orr & the California arson fires.
Screen TitleAccess Varies · Check Source
Link Check PendingReport a Link (Email)
Search Amazon · paid linkEpisode details on TVmaze
Title search; Amazon availability is not confirmed. Check the edition, format, and viewing region.
Episode data: TVmaze · CC BY-SA 4.0
EXPLORE THE CASE
Audiobooks
An audiobook edition has not been confirmed for this case yet. You can check the audiobook catalog or explore the case’s podcasts.
Check Audio Formats For This Book
These books are in this case’s collection. An audiobook version has not been verified for the listings below.
Fire Lover
Search Audiobook Editions · paid linkJoseph Wambaugh
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Amazon buttons marked “paid link” may earn us a commission. Affiliate disclosure
EXPLORE THE CASE
Fiction Work
Fiction Work
Browse all →Scripted stories and fictional inspirations. Scenes, characters, and dialogue can differ from the record.
Dennis Lehane · 2025 · fictional television drama
Smoke
A fictional drama drawing on the John Orr case through the Firebug podcast. Characters and plot elements are dramatized rather than a literal case reconstruction.
Fiction / DramatizationAccess Varies · Check Source
Link Check PendingReport a Link (Email)
Search Amazon · paid linkRead source
Title search; Amazon availability is not confirmed. Check the edition, format, and viewing region.
EXPLORE THE CASE
Podcasts
Podcasts
No reviewed items have been added to this section yet.
EXPLORE THE CASE
Social Media
BRING YOUR PERSPECTIVE
Where would you start?
Choose your reading route, then share a question with your community.
Your choice stays on this page. No vote is submitted or counted.
Talk about sources and storytelling with care for the people affected. A documentary, a book and a court record serve different purposes.
EXPLORE THE CASE
News & Reading
News & reporting
No reviewed items have been added to this section yet.
Newspaper clippings
0 itemsFeatured newspaper clipping
No newspaper image has been cleared for display for this case yet. Explore the archive below.
Keep following the newspaper trail.
Search original reporting, follow the trial, and compare how newspapers covered the case over time.
Explore more on Newspapers.comNewspapers.com controls access to its archive. A subscription may be required; existing subscribers can sign in.
Internet Archive
No reviewed items have been added to this section yet.
EXPLORE THE CASE
Court & Files
Court records & documents
0 itemsAbout these sources
Documents are labeled by type and scope. Allegations in filings are not findings of guilt. This collection is not the complete case file.
No accessible court document has been verified for this case yet.
New material will appear here after editorial review.EXPLORE THE CASE
Positive Outcome
Positive Outcome
0 itemsAbout these sources
Documented laws, advocacy and reforms. Listing a change does not claim it is effective or universally supported.
No case-specific reform has been verified for this collection yet.
Social Media
No reviewed items have been added to this section yet.