Man arrested, accused of starting the Park Fire, Butte County DA says

(FOX40.com) — A man accused of starting the Park Fire was arrested Thursday morning, according to the Butte County District Attorney’s Office .

The 42-year-old is a resident of Chico and was arrested after a man was observed “pushing a car that was on fire into a gully near the Alligator Hole in upper Bidwell Park” on Wednesday afternoon around 3 p.m., a statement from the DA says.

The vehicle went down an embankment about 60 feet and burned completely, with the flames spreading to the surrounding vegetation. Since then, the Park Fire has grown to more than 45,000 acres.

The DA’s office shared a picture of the alleged vehicle, which is shown completely burned and surrounded by burned trees and vegetation.

After allegedly pushing the vehicle, the man walked away amid other people who were fleeing the fire.

Cal Fire investigators responded and began searching for the identity of the man, who was detained early on Thursday morning and taken to the Butte County Jail without bail, the DA said.

The DA asks anyone with information about the case or who was in the area of Alligator Hole between noon and 3 p.m. on Wednesday to call 530-538-7888.

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