Homeless Man Accused Of Setting Fire In Petaluma Field

Petaluma CA

08 September, 2021

4:58 PM

Description

PETALUMA, CA — A homeless man has been arrested in connection with a recent fire in the city of Petaluma, police said Wednesday. Around 10:30 p.m. Aug. 26, officers responded at the request of the Petaluma Fire Department to an uncontrolled fire burning in dry grass and low-hanging trees at Cedar Grove Park and Lakeville Street. "A male, later identified as Nalani Felli, was contacted moving around the fire," police said in a news release. "Felli claimed responsibility for the fire but did not have enough water to extinguish it. Petaluma Fire Department personnel extinguished the fire." According to police, the fire burned a 20- by 20-foot area and there were not any stones or bricks or anything else in place to contain it, police said. "In addition to the field that backs up to a neighborhood, the fire was within 100 feet of at least two other encampments," police said. Felli, who was already on probation for a previous felony arson conviction, was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of arson, violating his probation, and pollution of a waterway. "In addition to the uncontrolled fire, Felli's encampment which included a large amount of waste, was approximately 20 feet from the Petaluma River water line," police said. "Trash from his camp trailed from the center of his camp all the way to the water's edge." Felli, 51, remained in custody Wednesday morning at Sonoma County jail and was being held without bail, according to jail records. So far this year, the Petaluma Fire Department has responded to 54 fires related to unsheltered people living at encampments in the city, police said. "For the safety of everyone involved, we encourage the public to report any suspicious fire activity observed in their area to 911 for immediate attention."