String of small arson fires in Modesto leads to suspect

Firefighters, fire investigators and Modesto police officers followed a string of small arson blazes late Wednesday before a suspect was located.

The first report came in about 11:30 p.m. as a potential structure fire, said Modesto Fire Department Battalion Chief Randy Anderson. It turned out to be a brush and fence fire in the alley at Magnolia and Lois avenues, just southwest of McHenry and Orangeburg avenues.

That was followed by a series of about five more small fires on the 1500 and 1300 blocks of McHenry, and finally at West Granger and Florida avenues, Anderson said.

The fires involved things like a planter box and cardboard boxes up against buildings, he said, but there was no damage to any structures.

Authorities received a description of a female suspect in the area, and police officers and the Stanislaus Regional Fire Investigation Unit detained a woman, after which the arson activity ceased, Anderson said.

Information on whether the woman was arrested, and her identity, were not available Thursday afternoon.

This story was originally published April 13, 2017 at 8:00 AM with the headline "String of small arson fires in Modesto leads to suspect."