Man suspected of setting fires at a California church, dentist’s office arrested

Authorities arrested a man on Saturday, Sept. 16, on suspicion that he set the Fellowship Baptist Church and another structure on fire in Riverside, the Riverside Fire Department said.

Riverside Fire crews responded to a report of a structure fire at the Fellowship Baptist Church on the 3600 block of Arlington Avenue at 8:49 a.m. on Saturday.

Fire officials reported smoke coming from a side door, and the fire was brought under control. But RFD said a secondary fire was located at an exterior wall.

Both fires were extinguished, leaving the church with minor fire and smoke damage. RFD investigators worked with the Riverside Police Department to view on-site camera footage from the church staff, a Saturday statement from the fire department said.

Authorities identified a possible suspect, and on their way back to the station, a fire truck crew located the person walking along Magnolia Avenue.  Riverside Police took him into custody, RFD said.

Authorities believe the suspect is responsible for a second fire in the 6900 block of Magnolia Avenue, reported around 10 a.m. on Saturday. Firefighters found an exterior fire that entered the attic space, an RFD news release said.

That building was home to a dentist’s office whose patient records and equipment were undamaged, RFD said.

Fire investigators were working with RPD to gather information and evidence.

Anyone with additional information can contact the Riverside Police Department at (951) 354-2007.