Exclusive: Vine Street fire probed as arson
The fire briefly forced the evacuation of 100 homes in Vacaville on Saturday.
(Photo by the author)
Fire officials are investigating a grass fire that broke out along Vine Street in Vacaville as a possible case of arson, according to a source.
The fire started around 5:15 p.m. behind a residential neighborhood, triggering the evacuation of up to 100 homes.
The fire grew to 5 acres before it was contained around 6 p.m.
A law enforcement source who spoke on background told Solano News Update the fire is being investigated as arson. Officers were tracking at least two individuals of interest who were seen near the fire, including a man who ran in the direction of Trower Park, according to a police dispatch.
Crews from throughout the area responded to the blaze, including the Dixon Fire Department and other nearby agencies. Three CAL FIRE airplanes, one helicopter and a bulldozer assisted ground crews in battling the fire.
Vine Street remain closed to traffic in the area of the fire.
The fire broke out during a Red Flag Warning in which weather forecasters said conditions were ripe for the easy start and rapid spread of wildfires. Since the weather alert was issued on Wednesday, Solano fire crews have battled at least four big blazes in the area, including a fire along Midway Road north of Vacaville that briefly shut down a portion of Interstate 80 on Friday.
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