Fire officials accuse man of arson that threatened 6 homes in Fresno. He’s under arrest
Update: The man suspected of purposely setting a fire that threatened six homes in Fresno has been arrested, the Fresno Fire Department said on Tuesday.
Curtis Carlton Evans, 67, was arrested on suspicion of arson and was held in Fresno County Jail, a department spokesperson said in a news release.
His bail was set at $485,000, according to jail records.
“Anyone setting intentional fires in our community will be investigated, arrested and prosecuted,” Fresno Fire Chief Billy Alcorn said Tuesday in the news release. “Our firefighters work incredibly hard to respond to numerous emergency service calls each day and intentionally set fires have the potential of delaying their responses to those true emergencies within our community.”
Original story: A suspected arsonist — believed to be responsible for a grass fire that threatened homes in Fresno Thursday afternoon — has been identified.
Curtis Carlton Evans, 67, is wanted and has an active warrant for his arrest related to the arson fire on Cornelia Avenue, between Clinton and McKinley.
Fresno Fire said Evans is known to drive a 2003 Lexus ES, oasis-green pearl color, California license 5BSJ454.
The fire posed a danger as it spread east toward six homes because of a wind that kicked up. Crews were able to put out the fire.
A firefighter had a back injury and another was overcome by heat exposure, fire crews said. The temperature at the time was over 100 degrees.
Both firefighters are OK.
The fire was deemed suspicious. Another fire was started a few blocks away before this one.
Deputy Fire Marshal Jay Tracy said Evans is a suspect in other fires that are under investigation. No other charges are being filed at this time, Tracy said.
Anyone with information can call 911 or can remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at 559-498-7867 or the Fresno Fire Department Arson hotline at 559-621-2767.
This story was originally published June 7, 2024 at 4:31 PM.
