Police in Grass Valley responded quickly to three 911 calls about smoke and fire, which were reported around Nevada City Highway. Witnesses identified a woman suspected of starting the fire.
Elizabeth Houston, 49, initially made 'spontaneous claims' of accidentally starting the fire with a cigarette, later changing her story to testing a lighter on the brush before admitting to arson.
The fire quickly spread to Sierra Motor Sports, igniting 50-gallon barrels of gasoline, resulting in the destruction of all buildings on the property and causing damage estimated at least $1.5 million.
The Grass Valley Fire Department and California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection acted efficiently, containing the brush fire to about 3 acres, saving nearby homes and other structures.
Collection
[
|
...
]