Home Antioch Contra Costa County Fire Says Antioch Police Assist in Arson Arrest

Contra Costa County Fire Says Antioch Police Assist in Arson Arrest

by ECT

On-Scene Collaboration with Antioch PD Results in Quick Arrest of Walking Trail Arsonist

CONCORD, CA – Contra Costa County Fire Protection District (Con Fire) today announced its fire investigators, working with Antioch Police, made an arrest yesterday in an intentionally set fire along a walking trail in Antioch.

William Melendez, 36, a resident of Antioch, was arrested on one count of Arson of a Structure or Forest Land (PC 451(c)). The arrest occurred in the 3500 block of Nightingale Drive, Antioch.

Con Fire investigators responded, along with fire crews, to a vegetation fire on James Donlon Boulevard near G Street in Antioch at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday. The first engine on scene reported a five-by-20-foot vegetation fire on the walking trail. As the fire was being attacked, Antioch Police detained a suspect less than a mile away who admitted accidentally setting the fire with a discarded cigarette.

He was positively identified as William Robert Melendez.

The Con Fire investigator subsequently interviewed Melendez who stated he had started the fire and it got out of control. He said he attempted to put it out but got scared and fled as the sirens of emergency vehicles were heard approaching. Melendez further said that, at the time of setting the fire, it was hot outside, he was sweating, and he used a lighter to start the fire, hoping to dry the sweat off his skin with the heat from the fire.

Examination of the scene revealed no evidence of a cigarette; the fire was determined to have been intentionally set. Melendez was arrested and booked at the Martinez Detention Facility.

Con Fire’s Fire Investigation Unit asks residents to help them fight the crime of arson by calling the Arson Tip Line at 1-866-50-ARSON. They caution residents not to hesitate on information that seems too little or unimportant, adding some of the most valuable tips come from residents who were not aware what they saw was very important to the investigation of an incident. Residents can leave a recorded message on the tip line about fire-related criminal activity in English or Spanish.

Tips can be anonymous, and all tips are treated confidentially. But investigators sometimes need additional information, so contact information is encouraged.

 

About Contra Costa County Fire Protection District (Con Fire) — A recognized fire service leader – – Con Fire provides fire and emergency medical services to more than a million people across its 304 square-mile District area, and through mutual aid, in and around the 20 cities and unincorporated communities of Contra Costa County, California. With few exceptions, county emergency ambulance transport services are provided by Con Fire through its unique sub-contractor Alliance model across the District and beyond to include some 520 square miles of the county. In 2020, the District responded to some 75,000 fire and EMS emergencies and dispatched some 95,000 ambulances, providing expert medical care on more than 74,000 ambulance transports. The District, with 26 fire stations and more than 400 employees, is dedicated to preserving life, property, and the environment.

Information provided by Contra Costa County Fire Protection District

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2 comments

Jon Smythe Sep 16, 2021 - 1:53 pm

Why wasn’t this man’s name listed as being in custody at the Martinez center? He admitted setting the fire! This would have escalated to something truly overwhelming and tragic! Is he a friend of Torres-Walker?

Girard Sep 16, 2021 - 3:51 pm

Why isn’t this jerk in the slammer?

Comments are closed.