Man pushing flaming car into ravine started Park Fire, burning over 70,000 acres in California, officials say

A 42-year-old man was arrested Thursday on suspicion of arson for allegedly pushing a burning car into a ravine that sparked the massive Park Fire, an ongoing blaze that has burned more than 70,000 acres in California, authorities said. The man from Chico, California, who was not identified, was arrested after he was seen pushing
Man pushing flaming car into ravine started Park Fire, burning over 70,000 acres in California, officials say

A 42-year-old man was arrested Thursday on suspicion of arson for allegedly pushing a burning car into a ravine that sparked the massive Park Fire, an ongoing blaze that has burned more than 70,000 acres in California, authorities said.

The man from Chico, California, who was not identified, was arrested after he was seen pushing a car that was on fire into a gully near a swimming hole in Bidwell Park shortly before 3 p.m. on Wednesday, according to a statement from Butte County District Attorney Michael L. Ramsey.

“The car went down an embankment approximately 60 feet and burned completely, spreading flames that caused the Park Fire,” he said.

Butte County is about 80 miles north of Sacramento. The blaze has been named the Park Fire and is now California’s largest active wildfire.

A completely burned car in a park
A car damaged by a park fire in California.Butte County District Attorney

The fire has spread from 6,500 acres to more than 70,000 acres by Thursday afternoon, CalFire reports. It was only 3% contained at that time.

After pushing the car into the gully, the man was seen “calmly leaving the area by blending in with other citizens who were in the area and fleeing the rapidly evolving fire,” Ramsey said.

Arson investigators responded, secured the scene and began searching for evidence that would identify the suspect, prosecutors said.

The suspect was identified and a warrant for his arrest was issued Thursday morning, according to Ramsey. The suspect was booked into the Butte County Jail, where he is being held without bail until his arraignment Monday, Ramsey said. 

Authorities declared they would release the suspect’s name later Thursday.

Wildfires have ignited throughout California and the west, aided by extremely hot temperatures, prompting evacuations, forcing road closures and polluting the air.

,

Total
0
Shares
Leave a Reply
Related Posts
Khelif wins gold amid gender eligibility row
Read More

Khelif wins gold amid gender eligibility row

Khelif wins gold amid gender eligibility row Published 9 August 2024, 22:15 BST Updated 9 minutes ago Imane Khelif won Olympic women's boxing gold a year after being disqualified from the World Championships for reportedly failing a gender eligibility test. The Algerian, amid a controversy that has overshadowed the boxing events in Paris, beat Chinese
More than half of Gen Z abandon watching traditional TV in favour of video-sharing platforms such as TikTok and YouTube each day, says media regulator
Read More

More than half of Gen Z abandon watching traditional TV in favour of video-sharing platforms such as TikTok and YouTube each day, says media regulator

More than half of young people watch no traditional broadcast TV at all in a typical week, the media regulator has revealed. Figures from Ofcom signal the slow demise of live television viewing, with only 48 per cent of 16-to-24-year-olds tuning in to broadcast channels - or even their 'catch-up' services - in an average
EXCLUSIVEJD Vance’s Secret Service codename revealed: Running mate’s ‘Hillbilly’ roots and love of football inspired call sign
Read More

EXCLUSIVEJD Vance’s Secret Service codename revealed: Running mate’s ‘Hillbilly’ roots and love of football inspired call sign

A lot changed for Sen. J.D. Vance after being selected last week as Donald Trump's running mate. Within days he had his own campaign plane and a Secret Service codename. The longtime Ohio and Kentucky football fan is now known to the agents protecting him as 'Bobcat,' after teams of the same name, DailyMail.com can reveal.