Flare Gun Blamed For Fire That Threatened Homes: Police

FREMONT, CA — A grass fire that burned dangerously close to a dozen homes and forced the evacuation of about 30 residents on Sunday, June 23 was a case of arson, according to the Fremont Police Department. They say that 43-year-old Christina Haller "fired a flare from a modified pellet gun" at a man during an argument. The flare is what reportedly started the five acre fire.

Haller was arrested on June 26 in Mountain View, police said on Monday. She was arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, unlawfully causing a fire on forest land, and corporal injury to person from a prior dating relationship.

The fire started behind the property of the Belvoir Springs, in the 36900 block of Mission Boulevard. A modified flare gun was recovered by investigators at the scene.

>>Previous: Grass Fire Threatened Homes In Fremont Sunday Night

"We are lucky no one was injured during this fire," police said in a statement Monday, "and this is a good reminder that our City is not immune from fire danger. This is a good time to talk to family members about escape/evacuation plans, test your fire alarms, have an emergency kit ready and check your property for dry brush and vegetation, especially if you reside on the hill side of Mission Boulevard or near open space."

If you have any information about the fire or the events leading up to it, contact police investigators at 510-790-6900 or email Detective MacDonald at TMacdonald@fremont.gov.

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