Torrance Man Charged With Arson In Connection With Yorba Linda Brush Fire
SANTA ANA (CBSLA.com) — A 26-year-old Torrance man accused of igniting a 17-acrew brush fire in the hills of Yorba Linda was charged Monday with arson.
Erik Michael Virgil, who has been held on $50,000 bail since his arrest Thursday, was scheduled to be arraigned Monday on the felony charge.
The fire broke out near the 21400 block of Casino Ridge Road about noon Thursday. A helicopter sent to the scene to help direct traffic in the area spotted a man running from a burning vehicle, prompting sheriff's deputies to try and catch him on the ground, Orange County sheriff's Lt. Jeff Hallock said.
Virgil was later corralled by a Los Angeles County sheriff's helicopter carrying SWAT officers and arrested after being checked at a nearby hospital.
About 120 firefighters from several agencies battled the blaze, Orange County Fire Authority Capt. Matt Levesque said. One firefighter suffered a knee injury and had to be treated at an area hospital.
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