Fairfield firefighters chased down a 21-year-old man they spotted setting fire to the porch of an abandoned house and held him until Jefferson County deputy sheriffs arrived, authorities said.
The incident happened Wednesday about 4:40 a.m. in the 500 block of Court B.
Sgt. Joni Money of Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office provided this account:
Deputies were called to assist firefighters who said they were returning to their station after extinguishing an earlier fire and noticed a fire starting inside an enclosed porch of another home.
The firefighters stopped to extinguish the new fire and found 21-year-old Christopher Ali on the porch of the abandoned home. Ali fled from the scene and the firefighters pursued. They were able to catch and detain Ali until deputies arrived.
Ali was charged with burglary and arson. His bonds total $31,000.
“This is an example of different departments working together to keep Jefferson County safe. The firefighters went above and beyond to apprehend the subject responsible for this fire and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office is thankful for their assistance in solving this crime,” Money said.
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