San Jose: Man arrested on suspicion of arson following park fires

Police say the suspect was lighting a new fire while firefighters were on scene Tuesday morning.

SAN JOSE — A man has been arrested on suspicion of multiple instances of arson after he was caught lighting a fire at a San Jose park not far from where firefighters were battling fires he also reportedly set, police said.

The arrest was reported at 11:50 a.m. at Watson Park off East Taylor Street near Highway 101, according to San Jose police.

Just 15 minutes earlier, the San Jose Fire Department dispatched multiple units to respond to three small fires reported at the park, at least one of them near a dog park on the grounds.

San Jose police officers were sent to the scene to provide support, and they spotted a man who was in the process of trying to start a fire, police said. The man’s name was not immediately released.

It took about an hour to bring the park fires under control, SJFD spokesperson Jake Pisani said, adding that only vegetation burned, and that no injuries or structure damage were reported.

Fire officials estimate that between three and five acres burned.

Other similar fires have been reported in the area in the past few days. Whether those instances are linked to the man arrested Tuesday remains under investigation by police and arson investigators.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.