Santa Ana: Two More Suspicious Fires Burn Near Freeway

06.17.2021 | 2:45 AM | SANTA ANA – Two suspicious fires ignited in an area where similar fires have erupted over the past months, early Thursday morning.

The first fire was reported on the Grand Avenue exit from the southbound I-5 Freeway around 2:45 AM.

When crews arrived on scene they found an approximately 5′ x 15′ area of vegetation burning adjacent to where a previous fire had erupted on May 29.

Firefighters quickly doused the flames and extinguished the fire in minutes before being alerted to a second fire burning in the 1200 block of East Washington Avenue across a field from the first fire.

A firefighter used a pressurized water extinguisher and hand tools to snuff out the second start before it could spread.

A man was seen walking near the second fire but left the area before authorities arrived. He was described as Hispanic male in his early 40s wearing a white t-shirt and dark colored pants.

Along with the May 29 fire, another blaze erupted along the I-5 Freeway in the same area early April 22 at around 2:45 AM. That fire scorched vegetation growing along a sound wall.

Fire investigators have responded to all four incidents but it remains unclear if they are connected.

Miles Madison

Miles started reporting breaking news in 2015 and has been providing high-quality news video and timely reports from the Orange County area ever since. Combining his experience as a seasoned photojournalist, radio operator and sleuth, Miles provides unrivaled multimedia news reports.