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Suspect In Custody For Arson That Burned 4 Townhomes In Martinez

MARTINEZ (KCBS)— Contra Costa County Fire crews have a fire that grew to three-alarms at multiple homes in Martinez under control and one person is in custody for what officials say looks to be the work of a single arsonist.

The three separate fires broke out Wednesday around 1 p.m. according to investigators with the fire department. When crews responded to the blaze at a townhome at 1595 Ashwood Dr. in the Vine Hill neighborhood, they noticed another fire at 1577 Ashwood and then the third at 1579. A fourth home was damaged as well.

Up to 12 firefighter apparatus were brought onto the scene to battle the blaze, which was mostly confined to the exterior of the wood-framed townhomes.

At about 1:40 p.m. Martinez police arrested a man on suspicion of arson.

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(photo credit: Jeffrey Schaub)

"It could have been really, really bad today. We were very fortunate, very lucky there were no injuries to any of the homeowners of the townhouses or to any of our firefighters," said Contra Costa County Fire Department Inspector Lisa Martinez.

One woman who lives among the damaged homes said she was happy the fire and police departments responded so quickly and that they were able to get it under control. The woman's property was not damaged.

Firefighters managed to get things under control by 2:07 a dispatcher said.

Officials did not immediately release any more information about the suspect.

One neighbor, Allan Brown, said he saw police use a Taser stun gun to detain a man after a foot pursuit near the scene of the fire.

Mike Kindle, who was working to move a woman out of a nearby unit, said earlier in the day he saw a man arguing with law enforcement officials, then later saw smoke coming from the unit.

TM and © Copyright 2015 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2015 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Bay City News Service contributed to this report.

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