Roseville Firebug Setting Fires In Field
ROSEVILLE (CBS13) - Four fires were intentionally set in the Roseville area in the last two months, all tied to the same firebug, say investigators.
In three cases, the flames came close to homes near McAnally Drive and Foothills Boulevard. A fourth was set along South Bluff Drive.
"I'm worried about living next to this field," said Nicholle Brackenbury, who lives nearby. "I'm worried it may happen again."
Brackenbury, whose home backs up to the field, came home to flames last week. Her main concern, as she was rushing home from work, was her children.
"I was terrified because my two kids are sleeping in this room," said Brackenbury.
This isn't the first time the field has been on fire. The Roseville Fire Department says there have been three fires there since early July. All of the fires, including a fourth one that happened nearby, are being called suspicious.
"I don't know why anybody would endanger other people's lives just for whatever," said Loren Ferrin, Brackenbury's husband.
On the other side of the field, there are more homes also in the direct line of danger. The latest fire came within 10 feet of homes, and fire crews say the saving grace was defensible space.
Chris Fallbeck lives in that neighborhood. He says he woke up in the middle of the night to the smell of smoke and thought his neighbor's home was on fire.
"I noticed the fire was burning at the back of the houses here, so I pounded on her door, pounded on the next door neighbor's door to wake them up and then went in the neighbors backyard turned the hose on and started to spray the fence down," said Fallbeck.
Fallbeck's quick thinking potentially saved lives.
"Just seemed like the right thing to do," he said.
Because of how close the fires were, investigators believe all four were set by the same person. And neighbors say they've seen suspicious activity out there in the past.
"I noticed a couple kids with this spray paint can and they were lighting it. You could see the flame," said Cindi Almanza, a neighbor.
Because the fires were set in a remote field, investigators say no one has been able to get a good look at the person or people responsible.
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