Teen Playing With Matches Catches Marin Co. Home, Trees On Fire

MARIN COUNTY, CA – A home was damaged as a result of a two-alarm vegetation fire caused by a teenager playing with matches in Novato Tuesday evening, firefighters said.

The incident was reported just after 6 p.m. off of Oliva Drive, according to Novato Fire Protection District Chief Mark Heine.

Arriving units found four or five acres of trees and brush burning with a rapid rate of spread, threatening many homes. It caused significant damage to one home.

The fire was no longer growing and roughly 75 percent contained as of 7:30 p.m. Heine said units would remain on scene through the night to prevent further spread.

"It was admitted [by the boy] and it was accidental, but we do call that a 'youth firesetter,'" Novato Fire District spokeswoman Sandy Wargo told Patch."Unfortunately, it did rush up the hill and get the back side of a house."

Wargo added that the fire burned power lines, contrary to some reports that the blaze was sparked by power lines. The fire generated columns of smoke widely seen by evening commuters, generating an abundance of local concern.

Investigators determined the incident was caused by the 14-year-old boy playing with matches and and he was cited and referred to the Youth Fire Setter Intervention Program, according to firefighters.

Wargo said no evacuations were in place, but because Oliva Drive was closed, some residents did had to park their vehicles elsewhere.

Also see:

• Sawmill Fire: Containment Advances to 75%
• Hwy 101 Reopens; Several Homes Damaged In Petaluma Fire
• Cambridge Fire in Novato 100 Percent Contained
• Loma Fire: Wildfire In Santa Cruz Mountains Grows To 2,250 Acres

--Bay City News and Maggie Avants contributed to this report/Photo: A Novato Patch reader shot the above image at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday from the intersection of Simmons Lane and Novato Boulevard — about one mile from the fire.