Suspect Arrested In Arson Fire Along Walking Trail

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA – A man suspected of setting a fire along a walking trail in Contra Costa County on Tuesday night has been arrested, a Contra Costa County fire captain said.

Mark Smith, 48, of Pleasant Hill was arrested Wednesday in connection with a small vegetation fire on the East Bay Municipal Utility District Trail near Oak Park Boulevard in Pleasant Hill, Contra Costa County Fire Protection District Capt. George Laing said.

The fire was reported at about 9:30 p.m. and was extinguished by about 10 p.m. No one was injured and there was no damage to homes or other structures.

It's one of more than 20 suspicious fires in the area that have been reported since early summer, mainly along the Iron Horse Regional Trail in Pleasant Hill and Concord, Laing said.

The fires have all started along the trails in vegetation, often near wooden fences and private homes. They are considered suspicious because of their locations, the time of day at which they started and other factors,
Laing said.

Investigators are still looking into whether Smith set the other fires.

Also see:

• Contra Costa Man, 30, Shot, Killed By Concord PD Identified
• Man Accused Of Vandalizing Area War Memorial Must Give Public Apology

--Bay City News/Image via Confire PIO