CA Pre-Teen Arrested, Accused Of Setting 4 Fires

BERKELEY, CA — A 12-year-old girl was arrested on suspicion of arson after fire crews responded to a slew of separate fires in the Berkeley hills throughout the day on Friday, the Berkeley Police Department said in a statement.

The four fires were set between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. as emergency officials searched for a suspect. The identity of the 12-year-old was not released.

On Friday at 10:22 a.m., firefighters first responded to reports of a small grass fire on the 1600 block of La Vereda Road, which neighbors had already extinguished. At 2 p.m., another fire was reported in a grass area long Cedar Path between La Loma Avenue and La Vereda Road. While handling the fire on Cedar Path, more firefighters returned to the 1600 block of La Vereda Road, where dried leaves had been set on fire. At 7:28 p.m., firefighters responded to a structure fire on the 2700 block of Cedar Street.

No serious injuries were reported in any of the separate blazes and all fires were quickly extinguished, police said.

"During the warmer months, we must all remain alert of the dangers of fire during this period of increased fire risk," officials said. "Thanks to the quick action and reporting of neighbors, fires were able to be extinguished and a suspect later apprehended.

"We are thankful that no [one] was seriously injured by the fires."