Man accused of setting 8 arson fires

Southern California authorities say 23-year-old Jarrod Anthony Samra of Highland, a former fire department explorer, has been arrested on suspicion of starting several recent wildfires, including one that injured a firefighter. Samra also faces a charge of causing great bodily injury.

Read more about the San Bernardino County Fire Department Fire Explorer program

San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos said Monday that Jarrod Anthony Samra faces eight counts of arson for eight different blazes. It wasn’t immediately known if Samra, of Yucaipa, has an attorney.

Authorities say Samra was arrested last week near the scene of a fire in the hills near Redlands, about 65 miles east of downtown Los Angeles. Investigators say evidence was found at each scene that connected Samra to the fires, which started along roads and at similar times of day.

Samra could face 19 years in prison if convicted.

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