Patterson man convicted of setting fire at abandoned car wash, prosecutors say
A Patterson man was convicted by a jury of arson after prosecutors said he intentionally set fire to an abandoned car wash last year, a blaze authorities say could have spread to nearby homes and businesses.
Flavio Alvarez, 26, was found guilty of arson following a jury trial, according to the Stanislaus County District Attorney’s Office. Prosecutors say Alvarez faces up to 17 years in state prison. A separate court proceeding on aggravating factors that could affect sentencing is still pending.
The fire occurred March 11, when firefighters responded to a structure fire at an abandoned car wash in Patterson. The building was fully engulfed in flames when crews arrived.
Investigation ruled out accidental causes
After ruling out potential accidental causes, fire investigator Trista Bowen determined the blaze was intentionally set , prosecutors said.
Deputy District Attorney Matt Begoun said investigators quickly determined the fire was unlikely to have started naturally. “There was no electricity, no gas, no lightning, no combustibles that would have started it,” Begoun told The Modesto Bee. “It was not a place that would start on fire but for someone likely starting it.”
Investigators determined the fire originated from a mattress inside the structure, officials said.
Authorities initially had no direct suspect, Begoun said. However, deputies encountered Alvarez later the same day. During one of those encounters, deputies found Alvarez with matchbooks missing several matches while he was about a mile from the fire scene, according to prosecutors.
Begoun said Alvarez eventually admitted to starting the fire and provided details investigators had not publicly released.
“He was pretty clear with them that he did it,” Begoun said. “He said he ignited the mattress — which is information only the person responsible would know.”
Prosecutors cite compulsion, public safety risk
According to Begoun, Alvarez told deputies he felt an “urge” to start the fire while inside the abandoned building.
Begoun said investigators were unable to determine a traditional motive. “I think he really just had this sort of compulsion that came over him.”
Prosecutors argued the fire posed a significant risk to the surrounding community. Although the structure was abandoned and had previously burned, Begoun said it was within a few hundred feet of homes and businesses.
“This was a significant fire in the middle of a town,” Begoun said. “If this was a windy day, I don’t think anyone would be surprised to see this spread and become a significantly larger fire.”
Prior probation status could affect sentencing
Prosecutors allege Alvarez was on probation at the time of the fire for failing to register as a sex offender. Begoun said that allegation, along with claims Alvarez previously served time in prison and performed poorly on probation, are among aggravating factors prosecutors plan to argue during sentencing proceedings.
Begoun also said prosecutors will argue the fire demonstrated “great violence” and callous disregard for public safety.
Those factors have not yet been decided by the court.
Authorities said Alvarez does not have prior known arson convictions.
The Stanislaus Regional Fire Investigation Unit led the arson investigation, assisted by the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office.
Alvarez will be in court next Feb. 26 in Department 5 of Stanislaus County Superior Court for a sentencing proceeding.
