Investigators detained a ''person of interest'' Thursday in the Santa Rosa
Creek arson spree after five new fires broke out along the bicycle path west
of Stony Point Road.
The latest series of grass fires broke out around 2 p.m. and were similar
to the 14 other such fires officials believe have been intentionally set in
the area over the past three weeks, Santa Rosa Battalion Chief Andy Pforsich
said.
Firefighters quickly doused three fires. The two others went out on their
own, Pforsich said.
As he was investigating the location of the third fire, Pforsich said he
spotted a man in his 30s leaving the area westbound on a bicycle. He detained
the man -- who smelled of smoke and had a lighter in his pocket -- until
police arrived, he said.
''We did have a enough to take him into custody,'' Pforsich said. ''He
remains a ''person of interest'' in the case, and the investigation continues,
Pforsich said.
-- Kevin McCallum
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