Soquel Arson Fires Appear Linked

SOQUEL - The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office is looking for more information in a suspected arson case that destroyed six cars in Soquel early Wednesday morning, causing more than $100,000 in damage.

Crews from the Central Fire Protection District responded to a reported dumpster fire at a business complex in the 2900 block of Park Avenue - just north of Highway 1 - shortly after midnight, sheriff’s Sgt. Roy Morales said. When firefighters reached the scene they found a car on fire, Morales said.

Roughly an hour later, fire crews were notified of another fire at an apartment complex on Subec Lane, located less than a block away from the first blaze, according to Morales.

Five cars were found engulfed in flames, Morales said. Firefighters were able to contain fires on four additional cars in a wooden carport and minimize the damage, according to Morales.

Sheriff’s deputies searched the area for other damaged cars and believe the two fires are linked, Morales said.

The cause of the fires is under investigation.

Anyone with information or video footage that can help in the case is asked to call the sheriff’s dispatch at (831) 471-1121 or detectives at (831) 454-7600.

-Bay City News Service, images via Santa Cruz Sheriff’s Office