Statement says Oyler watched arson fire

The suspect in a massive arson wildfire that killed five firefighters in Riverside County told prosecutors that on the night of the fire he drove to a spot near where it started so he could watch the flames, according to a police report.

Raymond Lee Oyler, 36, denied having anything to do with the crime when he spoke to investigators Oct. 27, the day after the fire began. He told investigators he had been gambling at the Morongo Casino, Resort & Spa and then stopped at a Shell gas station before “traveling toward the Esperanza fire to watch it,” according to the document that summarizes Oyler’s interviews with police.

The affidavit says Oyler took an exit onto surface streets that would have placed him near where the fire started but does not specify where he stopped.

Investigators inspected surveillance video from the casino and the gas station but did not find images of Oyler at either location during the times he said he was there, according to the affidavit, which was given to the Associated Press by a person close to the investigation.

The person insisted on anonymity because all documents in the case have been sealed.

The fire charred more than 60 square miles.

The firefighters died when they were overrun by flames as they tried to protect a house in Twin Pines.

Oyler was charged Nov. 2 with multiple counts of murder and arson, and could face the death penalty if convicted.

He also is charged with starting 10 other fires in the same San Gorgonio Pass area since early June.