LARKSPUR— A senior citizen has been sent to jail on suspicion of intentionally setting six fires. These brush fires occurred in Larkspur and neighboring Corte Madera.
The first three fires occurred last Friday evening in Corte Madera in marshlands and were quickly extinguished. On the following morning, three more fires were reported in Larkspur, which took longer to put out.
One of the fires on Saturday resulted in the evacuation of 20 homes, near Cedar Avenue and Opal Street. There were also two separate brush fires reported on Rose Lane and Larkspur Plaza Drive.
Fortunately, no structures were reported damaged during any of these fires.
The man suspected of setting them is a Larkspur resident, 61-year-old Eric T. Larson. In addition, Larson is under investigation for allegedly setting other fires in Marin County.
A witness reported seeing him near one of the fires on Saturday. Larson was subsequently detained by Central Marin Police Authority near 2130 Redwood Highway in Larkspur.
Larson was arrested June 13 at 8:34 a.m. He was booked into Marin County Jail, where he remains in custody in lieu of $1 million bond.
Larson who lists his profession as self-employed was on probation for a prior property crime conviction.
He presently faces open charges for arson causing great bodily injury, arson of property, and violation of probation.
An ongoing investigation is being conducted by the Central Marin Police Authority and Central Marin Fire Department. Anyone with information can call police at 415-927-5150.
