US Firefighter Arrested for Setting Fires in Mountains Five Times

Committing a Crime on a Non-Working Day

Firefighters struggled to contain several wildfires that occurred multiple times this year in California, USA, and a firefighter who deliberately started the fires has been caught.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

California fire authorities announced on the 21st (local time) that they arrested Robert Hernandez (38), a fire equipment engineer, on charges of setting fires on five occasions over the past month.

Hernandez is accused of arson in Sonoma County, northern California, from the 15th to the 14th of last month. Sonoma County is an area near Napa Valley, famous for its wineries.

It was revealed that Hernandez committed the crimes on days he was not working. The specific motive for the crimes is unknown. Fortunately, the fires started by Hernandez were extinguished without spreading beyond 1 acre (approximately 4,000㎡) each, according to fire authorities.

The fire department stated, "The quick response of residents and fire suppression teams minimized the fire damage." Fire Chief Joe Tyler said, "I am appalled that one of our employees betrayed the public's trust and tried to tarnish the tireless efforts of 12,000 colleagues." CNN reported, "More than 100 firefighters are arrested annually on arson charges."

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