A man was taken into custody Sunday in connection with a brush fire that broke out just south of Allan Hancock College in Lompoc.
The fire was reported at about 10:45 a.m.
According to the Lompoc Police Department, about 40 minutes later, fire officials requested assistance from officers after spotting a person they believed responsible for starting the fire near the old drive-in theater.
Officers arrested Claudio Nava Santiago, 31, on suspicion of arson and booked him into the Lompoc Police Department's jail. He is reportedly being held on $50,000 bond.
The fire temporarily prompted the closure of southbound Highway 1 starting at the WYE, but the highway was reopened by about 1:15 p.m.
The Vandenberg Fire Department and Santa Barbara County Fire assisted the Lompoc Fire Department in extinguishing the flames.
HancockIncident- SBC ASU Copt 964 assist Lompoc Fire with air support and ground crews. pic.twitter.com/I3LtjC7Tox
— Scott Safechuck (@SBCFireInfo) June 25, 2023
Police say their investigation into the incident is continuing and anyone with further information about the fire is asked to contact the Lompoc Police Department at (805) 736-2341.
