Arson Arrest: Man Also Facing Domestic, Child Abuse Charges

PLEASANTON, CA — The Pleasanton Police Department said it has arrested Kent C. Hermanson, 39, in connection with an April 17 house fire at his home that police deemed suspicious.

Hermanson was arrested Thursday afternoon. The Alameda County District Attorney's Office has charged him with four felony counts of child abuse, a felony count of arson and a felony count of arson during an emergency, court records show.

Hermanson's jail booking report stated he was a San Leandro resident, though police said he was most recently living with his family in the Pleasanton home he's accused of setting ablaze.

A probable cause declaration showed Hermanson had a blowtorch and was placed on a mental health hold, Bay Area News Group reported.

He was booked into Santa Rita Jail, where he remained Monday afternoon in lieu of $665,000 bail, jail records show. Hermanson is due in court Tuesday morning for his arraignment at the East County Hall of Justice.

The fire Hermanson is accused of setting significantly damaged a home and two cars in the 5500 block of Paseo Navarro, according to the Livermore-Pleasanton Fire Department.

Firefighters responded around 4:30 a.m. to the blaze and had extinguished the fire a half hour later. Officials protected three surrounding homes.

There were no injuries reported.

The four or five residents who lived there exited the home, but they will probably not be able to move back in until major construction is performed, officials said. The American Red Cross was working with the family.

Police said they are expecting a fire inspector's report this week which should include more details about the cause of the fire.

Correction: An earlier version of this story misstated Hermanson's age.