Architect Charged With Involuntary Manslaughter in Hollywood Hills Firefighter Death

An architect who designed and oversaw the construction of a luxury home in the Hollywood Hills a year ago was charged Wednesday with involuntary manslaughter in the death of a veteran firefighter who was killed when a burning ceiling collapsed on the property.

Gerhard Albert Becker, 48, is scheduled to be arraigned Wednesday afternoon in Los Angeles Superior Court.

Los Angeles Fire Department Firefighter Glenn Allen, 61, died Feb. 17, 2011, of injuries he suffered while battling a house fire in the 1500 block of North Viewsite Drive.

Allen, who was stationed out of  in Studio City, was injured when the ceiling of the mansion collapsed on him, according to the LAFD. One day after Allen died, his daughter gave birth to a son, his family told CBS2. Allen was a 38-year veteran of the LAFD and was about one year from retirement. Five other firefighters were also injured in the blaze.

On Feb. 25, 2011, a  was held at  in Studio City (see attached video). In August, members of Station 97  in Allen's honor.

The fire may have been caused by a problem with a natural gas-fireplace, according to the LAFD. Within days, police said they had declared the home a crime scene and were investigating to determine whether fire codes had been violated. The home was newly built three-story house with 12,500 square feet, according to the Los Angeles Times.

The Los Angeles Police Department announced Wednesday morning that it would be holding a press conference at its downtown headquarters at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday to "notify the public of an arrest of a suspect who murdered a Firefighter."

— City News Service contributed to this report.