San Rafael police suspect arson in 6 Canal fires
San Rafael police are investigating a wave of suspected arson fires Thursday in the Canal neighborhood, including one that forced the evacuation of an apartment building.
James Thomas Duffy, 42, of San Rafael has been identified as a “person of interest” in the case, the police department said. Investigators were trying to find him for questioning.
No injuries were reported in any of the six fires, which broke out in a period of about half an hour. San Rafael firefighters quickly extinguished all the blazes.
The first blaze was reported at Hoag and Canal streets at 5:17 a.m. Authorities arrived to find a dumpster fire that had spread to a nearby vehicle, Sgt. Justin Graham said.
Reports of other blazes followed, prompting authorities to close several streets in the neighborhood to conduct the investigation, police Sgt. Justin Graham said.
“All the fires appeared to be connected and are being investigated as arson,” Graham said.
The other fires included a dumpster fire on Mill Street; a debris fire on Canal Street near Pickleweed Park; a debris fire at Canal and Larkspur streets; a dumpster fire at Cardenas Market at 330 Bellam Blvd.; and a fire inside an apartment at Medway Road and Canal Street.
Authorities evacuated the building and firefighters were able to contain the fire to the one apartment. Authorities found no one inside.
The building sustained minor damage, and residents were not displaced, Graham said.
Bellam Boulevard, Hoag Street, Canal Street, Larkspur Street and Medway Road were shut down for the investigation before reopening at approximately 8:22 a.m. The Marin County Sheriff’s Office used drones to search the neighborhood.
Our sUAS team is assisting @SanRafaelPolice in the search for a person of interest in relation to a series of suspicious fires.
See our previous tweet for a photo of James Duffy who is the person of interest. pic.twitter.com/sY9kBgD0vN
— Marin County Sheriff (@MarinSheriff) May 7, 2020