A Carson City man was arrested Monday after allegedly starting fires near two South Carson Street businesses.
Fred Conners, 47, was booked into the Carson City Jail on two felony counts of third-degree arson.
Detective Dena Lacy of the Carson City Sheriff's Department said witnesses reported seeing Conners squirt some type of liquid on a water-valve cover near Batteries Plus on Curry Street. He then allegedly lit the liquid, which burst into flames then quickly dissipated shortly before noon Monday.
An hour earlier a pack of cigarettes was lit and stuffed under a water-valve cover on Fairview Drive in front of Sav-On Drugs. Lacy believes Conners is responsible for that as well. He declined comment, she said.
Witnesses provided deputies with a description of the arsonist. Conners matched the description and was found in the 700 block of South Carson Street.
It's not believed Conners is related to 11 wildland fires in the Carson City area within two weeks during June, she said.
He is being held on $7,500 bail.
n Contact reporter F.T. Norton at ftnorton@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1213.
