A homeless man has been arrested on suspicion of igniting a brush fire at Pioneer Park in Azusa, authorities said Saturday.
Officers dispatched about 11:40 p.m. Friday to Pioneer Park, 1360 N. Dalton Ave., in response to a reported brush fire, located Jose Carranza-Escobar standing next to the flames, the Azusa Police Department reported.
Officers quickly detained Carranza-Escobar and Los Angeles County Fire Department firefighters dispatched to the scene quickly knocked down the blaze.
“During the investigation, Carranza-Escobar admitted to starting the fire and was arrested for arson,” according to a police statement. “He was subsequently booked at the Azusa Police Department Jail and is currently being held in custody.”
Carranza-Escobar’s last known address was in Azusa, police said. The Azusa Police Department has staffed extra officers on duty due to the ongoing fire situations.
Anyone with any information regarding this incident was urged to call the Azusa Police Department at 626-812-3200. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477 or visit lacrimestoppers.org.