A quick-thinking East County resident stopped an arson spree in its path over the weekend.
Fire officials said the spree began in Crest in the wee hours of Sunday when the cab of a pickup truck in the 2100 block of Eucalyptus Drive was torched. About a half-hour later, a second blaze began in a 20-foot travel trailer in the 2100 block of Crest Drive. That fire soon spread to a home nearby. Fire crews were able to extinguish the home fire before it spread inside the house.
Not long after the second fire was sparked, a Crest resident saw a pair of suspects and ended up detaining one of them until deputies could arrive. A second suspect fled and has not yet been caught, according to police. Authorities have not determined a motive for the arsons.
The good Samaritan asked officials to remain anonymous outside of the investigation.
The suspect is burglary and felony arson charges, according to fire officials.
