A woman accused of starting a destructive fire in the Sierra Nevada foothills has been arrested on suspicion of arson, authorities said.
Grass Valley, Nevada County police responded to three 911 calls reporting smoke and brush fire around Nevada City Highway and Gates Place around 3:20 p.m., authorities said
A woman was singled out by witnesses. After being taken into custody, she made “spontaneous claims” of accidentally starting the fire with a cigarette, according to Grass Valley Police Lt. Brian Blakemore.
She later recanted and said she started the fire while testing a lighter on the brush, Blakemore said. The suspect, identified as Elizabeth Houston, 49, was arrested on suspicion of arson.
The flames, carried by the wind, quickly reached the southernmost edge of the Sierra Motor Sports property, where the company stored 50-gallon drums of discarded gasoline, Blakemore said. When they caught fire, all buildings on the property were destroyed, including the main showroom, an exterior maintenance structure, and several smaller sheds and storage buildings.
The business owners told police the damage was at least $1.5 million, police said. Sierra Motor Sports has been around for more than 30 years.
“Definitely a big loss not only for the business, but for the whole community,” Blakemore said.
The Grass Valley Fire Department and the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection were able to contain the initial brush fire to about 3 acres and save several other structures in the area, including several homes and a flower shop, authorities said. The fire also prompted temporary evacuation orders for the surrounding areas, but these were lifted shortly before 5 p.m.