Man Arrested On Suspicion Of Starting San Jose Grass Fire
SAN JOSE (CBS SF) -- A man who tried to prevent firefighters from controlling a 2-acre grass fire east of San Jose Monday night was arrested on suspicion of starting the fire, according to the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office.
Firefighters controlled the fire at about 11:15 p.m., about an hour after it was reported near Mt. Hamilton and Three Springs roads, according to Cal Fire.
But when the firefighters arrived they first had to contend with a man acting strangely and trying to prevent them from putting out the fire, according to the sheriff's office.
Sheriff's deputies arrived and detained the man, identified as 31-year-old San Jose resident Tuan Tran.
Once the fire was out, investigators discovered Tran had been camping in the area and concluded he had started the fire.
He was in possession of several grams of narcotics that investigators are still working to identify, sheriff's Sgt. Kurtis Stenderup said.
Investigators are also looking into the possibility that there was an illegal marijuana garden in the area, the sheriff's office said.
Tran was taken to a hospital to be treated for smoke inhalation and then booked into Santa Clara County Main Jail on suspicion of arson and possessing a controlled substance. He is being held under no bail while he waits to see a judge.
Anyone with information about the incident has been asked to contact the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office Investigation Division at (408) 808-4431.
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