Series Of Arson Fires Erupts In City Heights; Suspect Jailed

SAN DIEGO, CA — A series of nearly two dozen arson blazes damaged homes, vehicles and other property in City Heights Monday and left a suspected firebug under arrest.

At least 20 fires erupted in 10 locations within a radius about a mile wide in neighborhoods east of Interstate 805 and north of state Route 94 over a roughly hourlong period, beginning shortly before 3 a.m., according to the San Diego Police Department.

In addition to trash cans and commercial refuse bins, two homes, three cars and a trailer sustained damage from the blazes, said SDPD Sgt. Rick Pechin of the San Diego Metro Arson Strike Team.

Shortly after 4 a.m., a witness flagged down patrol officers and directed them to the possible perpetrator, Pechin said.

Police found the suspect, 40-year-old Juana Marie Alford, near a pile of burning rubbish in the 4400 block of Redwood Street in the Swan Canyon neighborhood and took her into custody.

Alford was booked into Las Colinas women's jail in Santee on suspicion of arson.

— City News Service