Man Arrested On Suspicion Of Arson After Santee Brush Fire

SANTEE, CA — A man was arrested on suspicion of arson Sunday after authorities said he admitted to starting a small brush fire in the San Diego River bottom in Santee.

The fire was reported around 5:40 p.m. northeast of Cuyamaca Street and Town Center Parkway, according to the San Diego County Sheriff's Office. The Santee Fire Department extinguished the roughly 10-by-10-foot fire. No property damage was reported and no evacuations were ordered.

A sheriff's helicopter crew spotted a man who had reportedly been seen leaving the area where the fire started and directed deputies to his location, officials said.

Deputies detained Manuel Guzman, 30, who was carrying a large lighter and admitted to starting the fire, according to the sheriff's office.

The sheriff's Bomb/Arson Unit responded to assist with the investigation. Guzman was arrested on suspicion of arson and violating a Santee ordinance prohibiting the use of an ignition source to cause a fire in the San Diego River corridor.

He was booked into San Diego Central Jail.