06.18.2026 | 11:20 PM | SANTA ANA – A suspect is in custody following a string of suspicious fires that plagued Santa Ana neighborhoods late Thursday night and early Friday morning.
Police arrested a man, who’s identity has yet to be released, after five separate blazes broke out within a span of roughly 40 minutes.
The arson spree began around 11:20 PM Thursday when emergency crews responded to a Honda Civic engulfed in flames at East Hobart Street and South Standard Avenue.
Just 24 minutes later, at 11:44 PM, a mini bike was set on fire outside a home at 112 South Minnie Street. That blaze destroyed the bike and caused minor damage to the bumper of a nearby resident’s truck.
Around the same time, firefighters were dispatched to a third fire involving a bush along the train tracks at McFadden Avenue.
The chaotic sequence shifted into Friday morning as two more fires erupted just minutes apart:
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12:01 AM: A small bush fire was reported at 1201 East McFadden Avenue.
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12:08 AM: A semi-truck caught fire at South Hathaway Street and East McFadden Avenue.
Firefighters and fire investigators responded to every scene to extinguish the flames and collect evidence.
Officers on patrol in the 1000 block of South Grand Avenue located a suspect and took him into custody around 12:47 AM. Upon searching the suspect, authorities discovered a cigarette lighter in his possession though it was unclear if the lighter was used to spark the arson fires.
No injuries were reported in connection with any of the incidents and an investigation into the apparent arson fires is ongoing.
