Escondido police briefly detained a man Thursday in connection to the Cocos Fire, but he was released after questioning, as an arson task force explores other possible reasons for the multiple fires that have struck throughout San Diego.
The man – whose name was not released – was taken into custody in Escondido in the mid-afternoon, police Lt. Mike Kearney said.
Within hours, investigators had let the man go, city spokeswoman Joyce Masterson said.
The suspect was believed to have been involved in the Cocos Fire, which has burned more than 1,000 acres in San Marcos and surrounding areas since erupting Wednesday, Kearney said.
The investigation into the multiple fires in San Diego County is being conducted by the Joint Arson Task Force, made up of in agencies that include CalFire, the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department, San Diego Police Department, Oceanside Fire Department, ATF, FBI and the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department.
San Diego officials asked that tipsters direct their information to San Diego Crime Stoppers, (619) 235-TIPS or 8477.
“All investigating agencies are working collaboratively in determining the origin and cause of the many fires throughout San Diego County,” according to the news release.
Supervisor Bill Horn and a local fire chief shared their suspicions Wednesday that the numerous wildfires that erupted this week – nine significant wildfires in San Diego County – could have been started deliberately. Sheriff Bill Gore has told reporters that all possibilities, including arson, were being considered.
“It would be pure speculation to say they they were (intentionally) set, or (ignited) by a car or an individual,” Gore told news crews during a mid-afternoon briefing. “It’s just too early.”
– City News Service contributed to this report.
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