Washington wildfire arson suspect twice linked to other blazes, authorities say - BBC
A man has been arrested for arson in connection with a massive wildfire in Spokane, Washington, that has destroyed hundreds of homes. Authorities are investigating his potential links to other recent fires in the region.
Why it matters
The incident highlights the devastating impact of wildfires and the ongoing challenges of public safety and disaster management in the American West.
Share Save Add as preferred on Google Lauren Turner, Brandon Drenon and Christal Hayes BBC News Watch: "Like a bomb went off" - Residents react after Spokane fires destroy hundreds of homes A man arrested on suspicion of arson in a large wildfire in Spokane, Washington, was previously linked to two other fire investigations last year.
Aaron Farinacci, 37, was allegedly seen kneeling near grass at the site of the latest blaze and was later found to have matches and a lighter, the Spokane County Sheriff said.
The fire is the largest of three burning around the north-western US state's second-most-populous city, forcing more than 60,000 people to evacuate and destroying more than 700 buildings.
None of the fires has been contained near Spokane, a city of some 230,000 people about 280 miles (450 km) east of Seattle.
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