Weekly Recap: Man arrested for starting fire at Solano Mall
Editor’s note: Starting with this issue, the LNU Lightning Complex Update newsletter is relaunching as Solano News Update, a regularly-released newsletter featuring top news stories and other information of interest from throughout Solano County.
(The J.C. Penney department store at Solano Mall appears in a still frame from Google Street View. Image courtesy Google Maps)
Fairfield police have arrested a man on suspicion of starting a small fire inside the J.C. Penney department store at Solano Mall last week.
Emergency officials received a call around 11:45 p.m. Monday alerting them to possible flames inside the department store. When crews arrived, they found a small fire along some merchandise racks in the middle of the store.
Police reported water damage to racks and some merchandise but said the structure was largely saved thanks to the quick efforts of firefighters on scene. The suspect was not located at the store after the fire.
Working with store employees, police identified a possible suspect. Early Tuesday morning, police arrested Rafael Munguia, 54, of Fairfield on suspicion of arson.
Quick Hits
The Solano County Coroner’s Office has identified the driver of a BMW who died during a chain reaction crash that led to the full closure of westbound I-80 near Dixon over Labor Day Weekend. Nicholas Nguyen, 16, died at the scene of the crash, the coroner’s office said. Nguyen and the driver of an Audi were exchanging information following a fender-bender on the freeway when a Toyota Camry crashed into both cars. A Honda Civic later crashed into the group, triggering a mass casualty incident that forced the shutdown of the freeway for several hours. The other three drivers were treated at an area hospital for minor to moderate injuries.
Vacaville Police arrested a man and two juveniles who are accused of conspiring to break into vehicles along Cinnabar Drive over the Labor Day Weekend. Police say a resident spotted the three individuals peering into vehicles in the Vacaville neighborhood. A brief chase ensued after police arrived. Officers arrested Brandon Joseph Dion, 19, on two felony and three misdemeanor counts. The unidentified juvenile suspects were booked, then released to their parents.
Solano County officials have launched a disaster debris removal program for the safe removal of wildfire debris connected to last month’s LNU Lightning Complex wildfire. Due to possible toxins in wildfire debris and ash, county officials are urging residents to take advantage of the program to ensure health and environmental safety. For more information on the debris removal program, call the Solano County Department of Resource Management at 707-784-6785.
County officials have closed its physical wildfire relief center at the Solano College satellite campus in Vacaville. The center, established in partnership with FEMA, was created to provide in-person support to those who were affected by last month’s LNU Lightning Complex Wildfire. Those support resources are still available online at the county’s website SolanoCountyRecovers.org.
(Image courtesy KXTV)
LNU Lightning Complex
Children’s television pioneer Mr. Rogers once said that during times of crisis it helps to look for the heroes. When it comes to the LNU Lightning Complex wildfire, there’s been no shortage of heroes — from the police officers who went from door-to-door urging people to leave as the flames licked their property to the firefighters who came from throughout the state to save homes and businesses in communities they barely knew.
And then there’s Noelle DeMartini, a horticulturist and floral designer from Northern California whose chance encounter with a stranger at a livestock supply store has forever changed both their lives.
Like many fire evacuees, Dave Dubay wound up at the Western Ranch and Pet Supply store looking for donations and help. He wound up at the livestock supply store after learning he could get his support dog’s nails trimmed.
Dubay broke down crying while his dog Hunter was being cared for. DeMartini walked over to Dubay and struck up a conversation, quickly learning that the man had lost everything in the wildfire — his home, his possessions and even a dear friend who lived just up the road.
“Everything burnt to the ground with no insurance,” Dubay said. “But God saved us and there’s a reason why. And I don’t know why.”
DeMartini decided then and there to take Dubay under her wing. She arranged for him to have a haircut, then set up a GoFundMe and Venmo account so she could raise money for the man. In the days that followed, DeMartini helped Dubay get a cellphone, a hotel room and a truck so he could drive around town.
“It’s overwhelming,” Dubay told KXTV reporter Madison Wade. “I’m overwhelmed with the help. She’s been so good to me.”
DeMartini and another friend, Cassandra Redden, continue to raise funds for Dubay via a GoFundMe webpage. To contribute, click or tap here.
Air Quality
Poor air quality is expected to linger through the weekend as wildfires continue to burn north of Sacramento.
The Yolo-Solano Air Quality Management District says air quality will remain unhealthy for sensitive groups for the next several days.
It is difficult to forecast how long the air quality will remain poor because of the unpredictable nature of the wildfires burning to the north.
When inhaled, wildfire smoke can lead to irregular heartbeats, dizziness, severe headaches and drowsiness. Wearing a face mask, especially those with a KN95 or N95-rating, can help prevent the inhalation of microscopic wildfire particulates.
Alert Solano
The Solano County Sheriff’s Department is requesting members of the community sign up for Alert Solano, a free service that offers real-time public safety alerts, including evacuation notices, severe weather, road closures/openings and other critical information. These alerts are delivered by phone call, text messages and/or email messages based on your preference. (Sign up here)
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