San Juan Fire Ruled as Arson, Juvenile Suspect Apprehended

The San Juan Fire near San Juan Capistrano was ruled as arson according to the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) investigators. An alleged arsonist responsible has been apprehended, and has admitted to setting the San Juan Fire on June 16 in San Juan Capistrano.

News coverage of the fire generated a tip to the Orange County Register that was passed on to the OCFA. This resulted in the identification, and eventual confession of the arsonist.

“This is the second time in as many months that the news media played a vital role in helping our investigations division break an active arson case,” said OCFA PIO Larry Kurtz. “A lot of effort is put into the investigation of these incidents, and if not for the media’s help in bringing the public’s attention to these fires, it’s possible that the trail may have gone cold.”

READ:Dramatic Photos of the San Juan Fire

The individual responsible for the fire admitted to investigators he started the fire with a cigarette lighter. The individual was released from custody to his mother.

OCFA fire investigators are working with the Orange County District Attorney’s office to determine what specific charges will be filed against the juvenile.

"We are prohibited by law against discussing cases related to a minor," Roxi Fyed, spokesperson of the Orange County District Attorney's office, said.

The fire charred approximately 70 acres between Golden Lantern and Camino Capitstrano, on the border between San Juan Capistrano and Laguna Niguel. Fortunately, this fire did not occur during windy conditions, which would have complicated fire control efforts.

There were no homes damages or destroyed as a result of the fire. OCFA investigators also credited the news media for a tip generated by a surveillance video broadcast following an October 4, 2015 Walmart fire.

This broadcast helped to track down a suspect who had recently set a fire on May 30, at Santa Ana’s El Super Market, leading OCFA investigators arrest the individual on June 7.

Photo, OCFA