A Morongo Valley man was arrested Thursday after police say he started a fire that firefighters described as a “junkyard.”
The blaze was reported about 11:45 am at the corner of Fobes and Via Hacienda, reports Z107.7.
The property was covered with shacks, shanties, old cars, and “years and years of pack-ratting and storage,” said County Fire Battalion Chief Donnie Viloria. Fighting the fire was made difficult due to winds and a lack of nearby hydrants, but crews were able to use water stored in the engines to extinguish the flames about 1:30 pm.
Police investigated and Jonathan Thompson, 62, was arrested on Fobes Road at 6:30 pm for investigation of arson.
