News & Columns > Michael P. Neufeld > Freeway Fire Suspect Pleads Not Guilty (Update 4)

Freeway Fire Suspect Pleads Not Guilty (Update 4)

Changed With Starting Fire On 215 Freeway

By Michael P. Neufeld
Wednesday, October 15, 2008

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Update - Thursday

San Bernardino, CA – Brenton Marvin Jacques, 32, was arraigned in San Bernardino County Superior Court yesterday afternoon and entered a plea of not guilty to starting the Freeway Fire in San Bernardino.

The homeless man has been charged with recklessly causing a fire of a structure or forest along the 215 Freeway and entered his plea to violating Penal Code 245(C) via video from the West Valley Detention Center in Rancho Cucamonga.

Judge Duke Rouse presided over the arraignment that began shortly after 1:30 p.m. and set bail at $25,000.

Jacques' next court appearance will be for a pre-preliminary hearing on Thursday, October 23, at 8:30 a.m. in Department S-21. A preliminary hearing has been set for Monday, October 27, at 8:30 a.m. in Department S-21-P.

Update 3 – Tuesday 3:55 p.m.

Authorities have now identified a 32-year-old homeless man—Brenton Marvin Jacques—as the individual who accidentally started the first Freeway Fire in San Bernardino that consumed about four acres.

Jacques was arrested on suspicion of reckless burning and booked into West Valley Detention Center in Rancho Cucamonga, officials said.

The suspect allegedly tossed cigarette butts into some dry vegetation behind a recycling center on H Street igniting the blaze.

Update 2 - Tuesday 9:40 a.m.

San Bernardino, CA – San Bernardino Police have arrested an unidentified adult male on suspicion of reckless burning in connection with yesterday's Freeway Fire that started along the east side of the 215 Freeway at 10:22 a.m.

San Bernardino City Fire Public Information Officer Mike Arvizo explained the fire originated from a homeless camp alongside the freeway at 13th and "H" Streets.

An engine from the San Bernardino City Fire Department. (Photo by San Bernardino City Fire Department.)

Due to high winds the fire spread from the east side of the freeway to the west side of the freeway in a matter of minutes. The 215 Freeway was shutdown at 10:27 a.m. in both directions as well as the BNSF railroad that runs along side of the major roadway. The fire was fully contained at approximately 1:30 p.m. and only one business suffered about $200,000.00 in damage.

Firefighters from the San Bernardino City Fire Department, San Bernardino County Fire, Cal Fire, US Forest Service, Colton, Rialto, Loma Linda and Redlands fire departments responded to the brush fire. A water-dropping helicopter also assisted in battling the wind-swept blaze.

One firefighter suffered a sprained ankle during the incident.

A second fire was reported just after 5 p.m. on the 215 near Base Line Street. See Fire Overtakes 215.

Update – Monday 2:15 p.m.

San Bernardino, CA – The Freeway Fire near Highland Avenue impacted traffic in San Bernardino for several hours today as firefighters from a host of agencies knocked down a wind-swept blaze along Interstate 215.

At times the flames were burning in the center divider and along the freeway as fire crews went into a defensive mode to protect businesses, residences and out buildings in the area of the blaze.

Highway 259 has reopened to through traffic but the California Highway Patrol reported only one southbound lane open at 1:40 p.m. today. Several surface streets in the area were also closed or impacted by traffic diverted off the freeway.

Original Story

San Bernardino, CA – A fire is burning just off Interstate 215 in San Bernardino between Base Line Street and Highway 259, causing the California Highway Patrol to close lanes and ramps in the area.

The Freeway Fire was reported at 10:23 a.m. and arriving units encountered drivers going the wrong way on the ramps to escape the flames and smoke.

The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department helicopter reports traffic is backed up in all directions. Highway 259 was closed due to smoke.

The Sheriff's Helicopter 40-King, according to scanner reports, indicated at 11:24 a.m. the fire was smoldering in several spots with the major concern in the area south of Baseline Street.

Several engines were called in for structure protection in the area.

Map of general area.