Transient accused of setting fire to Yucca Valley Walmart

A Yucca Valley transient is suspected of setting the town’s Walmart on fire overnight.

San Bernardino County Sheriff’s deputies arrested Dennis Lee Chance, 56, after firefighters from as far away as the Twentynine Palms Marine Corps Base were called to the Walmart on the 58500 block of Highway 62 at 1:30 a.m. Friday.

Burning propane tanks spread flames to the store and employees were evacuated. Damage is estimated to be between $100,000 to $200,000, according to the San Bernardino County Fire Department.

No injuries were reported during the fire.

Walmart is the largest retailer in the Morongo Basin, and despite the damage, the store is open for business Friday morning.

Chance is a well-known transient who frequents the area. Police used surveillance video to identify him as the suspected arsonist. Officers said he poured gasoline from a local gas station onto the propane tank cage, then set it ablaze.

Chance is now in custody and is being held on $250,000 bail, according to authorities.