Cal Fire arrests man on suspicion of arson for fire near Foresthill Bridge in Auburn
Authorities in Placer County arrested a transient man from the Auburn area who they say deliberately started a fire near the Foresthill Bridge, Cal Fire officials said.
Robert Thornton, 52, was arrested on suspicion of arson for the blaze that firefighters contained to a quarter of an acre, according to a news release from the Cal Fire Nevada-Yuba-Placer Unit.
The vegetation fire was reported shortly before 2 a.m. Tuesday near the bridge off of Lincoln Way in Auburn.
Firefighters from the Cal Fire/Placer County Fire Department responded to the reported fire, assisted by Placer County sheriff’s deputies and the Auburn Fire Department, and got the blaze under control.
“Our aggressive initial attack and law enforcement investigation led to a quick arson arrest before more destructive consequences could have taken place,” Cal Fire Unit Chief Brian Estes said in the news release.
Thornton was booked at the Placer County Jail, and his bail was set at $235,000. Jail records indicated that he also faces a charge of violating parole. Thornton remained in custody Friday afternoon and was scheduled to appear in court Monday.
