Man accused of starting 100+ acre fire in Banning charged with arson
A man suspected of starting a fire that burned over 100 acres in Banning has been officially charged with arson, among other counts.
Ande Delgado Cox Jr., 45, was charged with one count of arson, one count of possession of drug paraphernalia, and a sentence-enhancing allegation of perpetrating arson in an area where
a state of emergency exists. The emergency refers to a wildfire that occurred in the same general area last year, resulting in a declaration that has yet to be canceled.
Cox was arraigned in court on Tuesday, where he pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Cox is accused of starting the Sunset Fire, which burned 103 acres in Banning last week. The fire started Thursday at around 6:50 p.m. in the area of Mesa Street and Gilman Street.
Cal Fire officials said the fire initially burned at a dangerous rate of spread.
Firefighers were able to get a handle on the blaze into the night. By 9:15 p.m. that same night, the fire was 50% contained. It was fully contained the next evening.
Cox was arrested at a little over midnight on Friday. He is being held on $160,000 bail at the Smith Correctional Facility in Banning.
The means and motive were not disclosed.
Stay with News Channel 3 for any updates.
