A 62 year-old Westwood resident was taken into custody last week after an investigation by the Lassen County Sheriff’s Department determined he was responsible for setting a blaze that destroyed an outbuilding on Elm Street.
According to Sheriff’s Department Sergeant John McGarva deputies from the Lassen County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to a reported structure fire on Elm Street in Westwood shortly before midnight on April 24th. Personnel from the various fire departments were already on scene.
The fire started in an outbuilding behind the house resulting in the total loss of the structure. The occupants in the residence were not injured in this incident and no occupied dwellings were damaged during the fire.
“After further investigation, the fire was determined to be intentionally started,” said Sergeant McGarva. “Deputies arrested 62 year-old Westwood resident Richard Edwards for setting the blaze.”
Edwards was booked into the Lassen County Jail for arson and the case was referred to the Lassen County District Attorney’s Office.
