A 26-year-old man from Oroville, California, has been accused of starting a destructive wildfire in early July by allegedly throwing a firework from a car window during hot, dry, and windy weather conditions. Spencer Grant Anderson was charged on Monday after an extensive investigation by authorities.
The fire, known as the Thompson fire, burned nearly 6 square miles (15.5 square kilometers) of land in the Oroville area of the northern Sacramento Valley. The blaze destroyed 13 homes and caused damage to other structures in the region.
Anderson appeared in court to face charges that include arson of an inhabited structure, arson of forest land, and arson causing multiple structures to burn. He was remanded to jail without bail pending further legal proceedings.
According to reports, Anderson's attorney stated that his client is currently only facing accusations and will have the opportunity to enter a plea and attend pretrial hearings in the coming days.
The fire started on July 2, when temperatures soared above 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius), humidity levels were low, and strong winds were present in the area. Investigators identified Anderson as a suspect after a car was spotted at the location where the fire ignited. Subsequent surveillance led to his arrest on August 22.
Authorities allege that Anderson confessed to purchasing fireworks in Oroville and testing one by throwing it out of his car window at the location where the fire began. The investigation involved multiple agencies and complex procedures to gather evidence against the accused individual.
