Emergency.Blog

Officials: Arson Behind Santiago Fire

Oct. 25, 2007

Officials: Arson Behind Santiago Fire
Investigations Into Cause and origin of Fires Begin...

SAN DIEGO, CA: CBS News has learned a task force of agencies, including the FBI, ATF, the Orange County Fire Authority and the California Department of Forestry will announce shortly that the massive Santiago Canyon Fire -- which has caused an estimated $10 million in damage -- is being officially declared an arson, and a $70,000 reward is being offered to find the arsonist.

Investigators have identified two separate "points of origin" where they believe the fire was set, CBS News has learned. FBI agents secured the scene to "maintain its integrity."

The Santiago Fire has burned about 19,200 acres east of Irvine, officials said, and it is around 30 percent contained. Six homes and eight outbuildings have been destroyed, with another eight homes and 12 outbuildings damaged. Four firefighters have been injured fighting the blaze and about 3,000 people evacuated.

In San Bernardino County, a man suspected of starting a small fire was arrested and another man was shot to death by police after he fled officers who approached to see if he might be trying to set a fire... -- Source/Continues: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/10/24/national/main3401265.shtml

UPDATED: 2:02 pm PDT October 24, 2007

Home Not Searched In California Wildfire Arson Investigation

WASHINGTON -- California authorities and FBI agents did not search a home Wednesday as part of an arson investigation into one of the wildfires devastating Southern California, a law enforcement official said. But, authorities were investigating arson as a possible cause of at least one of the wildfires. FBI evidence response teams did recover materials they hoped would identify the source of the fires that have burned for four days.

Richard Kolko, an FBI spokesman in Washington, said the evidence response teams "have been working with other federal, state and local authorities" to identify the source of the fires. He referred other questions to local authorities.

-- Source: Diego News Story - KGTV San Diego - http://www.10news.com/news/14415303/detail.html