From Chelsea Phua:
Fire officials arrested a 17-year-old Monday afternoon in connection with a fire that destroyed a South Natomas playground in May.
Authorities say the teenage boy is being charged with unlawfully starting the blaze that torched the Jefferson Park playground, called Fort Natomas, on May 26.
The suspect, whose name is not being released because he is a juvenile, was being held in custody. He was arrested in Placer County, with the help of Placer County Probation Department, fire officials said.
May's incident was the second time in two years the playground has burned to the ground. Authorities are still investigating the first fire, set in June 2006, but said they have ruled out any connections between the two fires.
Authorities have initially ruled May's fire as arson, but Sacramento Fire Marshal Troy Malaspino said at a Monday evening press conference the boy, who was visiting the Natomas area, appeared to have started the fire to keep warm.
"At this point there appears to be a lack of malicious or wilful intent," Malaspino said.
The fire marshal also said he could not comment on whether the boy was alone when he started the fire because the investigation is still ongoing, but said authorities are not looking for more suspects.
Click here for more Bee coverage about the Fort Natomas fires.
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