An arrest has been made in connection with a Northern California wildfire that burnt the lumber town of Weed to the ground in September, Fox News reported on Saturday.
Ronald Beau Marshall, 24, was charged with felony counts of arson to inhabited structures, property and forest land, according to a spokesman for the local police department. Marshall's arrest comes after weeks of investigation.
The fire was started on September 15 and spread across the town, aided by 40 mph winds that helped the fire spread. Over 500 acres of residential area, including 157 homes, were burned, according to CNN. The fires prompted an emergency evacuation until the flames were under control. The town's saw mill was one of the structures that was damaged by the blaze, leaving many out of work.
There was a large-scale response to the fire, including the use of over 1,000 firefighters, 100 engines, five helicopters and 28 bulldozers. All of these forces combined finally brought it under control after five days.
Marshall was a person of interest, according to police, from when the fire first started. Authorities were also trying to figure out how it happened.
Sgt. Justin Mayberry, a police spokesman, said he couldn't disclose how they gathered enough evidence to charge Marshall because the specific cause of the fire is still being investigated.
Marshall previous run-ins with the law include speeding, burglary, petty theft and receiving or concealing stolen property, according to USA Today.
The alleged arson is being held on $250,000 bail.
