OAKLAND — A man suspected of multiple arson vegetation fires along frontage roads adjacent to Interstate 880, including four Monday started by a blowtorch, was arrested and is undergoing a psychiatric evaluation, authorities said.
The man is believed responsible for starting more than a dozen such fires going back several weeks between Fifth Avenue and Hegenberger Road that ranged from a few square feet to an acre, officials said.
No structures or vehicles have been damaged and no injuries reported, officials said.
Related Articles
East Bay musician accused of killing girlfriend wants trial moved out of Santa Cruz County
Man charged with attempted murder of Alameda County sheriff’s deputy
Police ID men killed hours apart in Oakland, one while attending the other’s vigil
DA agrees East Bay man was legally insane when he murdered girlfriend
One dead, four injured in Contra Costa crashes
He was arrested Monday afternoon after allegedly using a blow torch to set four vegetation fires on streets adjacent to the north and south sides of Interstate 880 between Fruitvale Avenue and High Street.
All four fires were quickly extinguished by firefighters, Fire Department spokesman Michael Hunt said.
The suspect was arrested in the area on suspicion of arson and was taken to a hospital for a psychiatric evaluation, authorities said. He will eventually be booked at Santa Rita Jail.
Such fires take a toll on fire department resources and depending on weather conditions always have the potential “to be much worse,” Hunt said.
+ There are no comments
Add yours