Sheriff Lee Baca announced arrest warrants have been served on five young men for involvement in Corral Fire arson case in Malibu last month.
Eight firefighters were injured and the wildfire destroyed 53 homes, 33 outbuildings, one mobile
home and 37 vehicles. Another 34 homes and 11 outbuildings were
damaged and caused over $100 million in losses,.
Cops Believe recklessness during a red flag condition at party spot lead to wildfire that burned
86 buildings
Sheriff Baca said investigators used surveillance video, receipts and food wrappers to track down the men who were believed to have been at the cave where the fire started, The evidence included food wrappers and bundles of chopped wood. .
Earlier, Sheriff's spokesman Steve Whitmore said arson investigators
found several pieces of evidence that indicated revelers had triggered the blaze by setting a campfire at a popular party spot by a cave in Corral Canyon, which abuts Malibu Creek State Park.
A review of security tape from a nearby store's camera and other detective work that took investigators as far away as Shasta County, on the Oregon border, led to the suspects being identified, Whitmore said.
"As adults we have always taught our children to be aware of the perils of fire," Baca said during a news conference. "In this case adults and fire and carelessness...are things that led to this
crime."
Baca identified the men as Brian Allen Anderson, 22; William Thomas Coppock, 23; Brian David Franks, 27; Eric Matthew Ullman, 18; and 19-year-old Dean Allen Lavorante.
Baca said the men, all from the Los Angeles area, were suspected of recklessly causing a fire with bodily injury, causing fire to an inhabited structure and arson during an emergency.
Baca said each charged carried two to four years of prison time if convicted.
It would be great if these guys end up in a prison crew fighting fire. Don't let them sit around in a cell, make them risk their lives.
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