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Man accused of arson in the biggest of 3 major fires in Spokane, Washington
NBC News • • general
Key Points:
- Aaron Farinacci, a 37-year-old Spokane resident with a prior manslaughter conviction, was arrested on suspicion of first-degree arson in connection with the Old Trails Fire, the largest of three wildfires in the Spokane region.
- Farinacci was taken into custody without incident after a witness reported seeing him near the fire's origin, and investigators linked him to the fire's starting point; he was found with waterproof matches and a butane lighter.
- The Old Trails Fire has burned 3,619 acres, destroyed approximately 700 structures, and contributed to the evacuation of 67,000 people, with the fires collectively burning over 8,000 acres and remaining uncontained.
- Farinacci had been previously questioned about arson-related behavior but never arrested for it, and there is no evidence linking him to the other two major fires in the area.
- He is being held on a $1 million bond and is scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday; it is unclear if he has been formally charged or has legal representation.
