Woman Suspected of Starting Riverbed Fire

A woman was arrested Saturday morning after allegedly setting a small brush fire in a riverbed in the Mission Valley area, the San Diego Police Department said.

According to police, arson suspect April Stoumbaugh, 36, was seen using a lighter to start a fire in the riverbed at Friars Road and Napa Street around 8:30 a.m.

After the vegetation fire sparked, she fled the area, but was detained a short time later by officers. She was then positively identified by witnesses as the person who set the fire and arrested for arson.

Meanwhile, fire crews tackled the blaze, which scorched about one acre of open land. No structures were damaged and no one was injured. The fire was knocked out by about 8:45 a.m.

The Metro Arson Strike Team is investigating the incident.
 

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