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Irvine Woman, 39, Accused Of Being Serial Arsonist

IRVINE (CBS) — Irvine Police Detectives nabbed a 39-year-old woman Saturday morning for allegedly being a serial arsonist.

Officials say Jana Marie Spires, an Irvine resident for the past year, has started a string of fires on residential and school properties.

The fires reportedly began in July 2010 and were small and set weeks apart, according to authorities.

Fires were set in trash cans, dumpsters, vehicles and at least one garage. Damage, said officials, ranged from minor to the total loss of vehicles.

The investigation was led by Irvine Police detective Barry Miller.

Irvine CSI processed the crime scenes and were able to get DNA from at least three different incidents.

Police said Spires was arrested near Springbook Elementary School in Woodbridge where a stack of pizza boxes had been set on fire, inches from the admin building.

Detectives were able to extinguish the blaze before the building suffered any damage.

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