BOOKING PHOTO: Trinity County Sheriff’s Office
Trinity County deputies have arrested a man who allegedly set a fire outside a Hayfork business to keep himself warm but fled the scene when the fire spread out of control.
Deputies on patrol just after 2:30 AM on Monday, May 4, saw the fire burning in an outbuilding of the business and notified dispatch, who in turn sent in fire personnel. The fire was successfully contained before it could cause excessive damage.
Deputies then processed the scene and discovered evidence that the fire had been set intentionally, prompting them to notify detectives.
Detectives identified the primary suspect as 32-year-old Sou Saetern of Sacramento, who later admitted during questioning that he’d set the fire keep warm but fled when it got out of control.
Saetern was arrested and booked on suspicion of arson, as well as an out-of-county warrant.
