Transient Arrested in 6 Santa Ana Fires

A transient has been arrested on suspicion of trying to burn down six vacant houses and a car in the central part of the city since November, a fire official said.

Witnesses identified Jim Gregory Tuner, 28, through photo lineups as the man who was near the blazes either minutes or hours before they were found, Battalion Chief Tom Skelley said Friday.

The fires were not accidental, investigators said, and the suspect did not set fires in the vacant homes and car for warmth.

“We have no clear understanding of why he is setting the fires,” Skelley said.

No one was injured in the fires, he said.

Five of the houses had been scheduled for demolition and were not near other residences, he said. The first fire caused $75 in damage, but the monetary loss increased with each arson.

The sixth home, at 1419 W. Richland St., was being remodeled and is located near other homes, Skelley said. The Tuesday blaze caused $75,000 in damage.

Residents on both sides of the house evacuated during the blaze, and their homes were not damaged, he said.

Tuner was arrested Thursday and was being held at the Santa Ana Jail on $10,000 bail, officials said.