Man Accused Of Sparking Multiple Small Fires In East County

SPRING VALLEY, CA — A man was arrested on suspicion of starting a series of small fires in eastern San Diego County.

Deputies responded to reports of multiple spot fires shortly before 6 a.m. Tuesday along Bancroft Drive and Troy Street in Spring Valley, according to a San Diego County Sheriff's Department.

Firefighters and several witnesses put out small fires that were set to a dumpster, trash and wood pallets, sheriff's Sgt. Anthony Portillo said. No structures were damaged or threatened.

Deputies found a man, later identified as Marcus Fox, 33, near one of the fires. He was detained and later arrested and booked into San Diego Central Jail on suspicion of four counts of arson to property, Portillo said.