Arson Suspect Arrested Following Loma Linda Brush Fire: Cal Fire

LOMA LINDA, CA — A 17-acre brush fire that burned last month in Loma Linda was arson and a suspect is behind bars, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department.

Matthew Robert Grell was being held in county jail as of Monday morning following his Aug. 8 arrest at his Loma Linda home. He is being held in lieu of $85,000 bail on charges of felony arson and misdemeanor driving on a suspended license.

The fire was reported shortly after 2 p.m. July 25 in a hilly area near Sierra Vista and Sage drives. The blaze spread toward several homes and an evacuation was ordered for some residents. Cal Fire was able to contain the fire and there was no structure loss.

Cal Fire investigators later determined the fire was arson and Grell set it. On Aug. 8, 2024, an arrest warrant and a search warrant were served at Grell's place of residence. He was found there and arrested without incident, according to the sheriff's department.

It's not clear how Cal Fire investigators linked Grell to the fire, but the sheriff's department said the state agency "found evidence related to the crime."

Anyone with information regarding the case is asked to contact Detective Julio Vasconcelos at 909-387-3545 or Cal Fire Investigator Bennet Milloy at 909-881-6922. Callers wishing to remain anonymous may contact the We-Tip Hotline at 1-800-78CRIME (27463), or leave information on the We-Tip website at www.wetip.com.