Transient Arrested Near Vegetation Fire in Petaluma

By Bay City News

A 44-year-old transient was arrested near a vegetation fire in Petaluma early Monday morning, a police sergeant said.

A police officer conducting a routine patrol noticed a small vegetation fire in the 300 block of Lakeville Highway at the south end of Sunset Park around 2:20 a.m., Sgt. Ed Crosby said.

The half-acre park is in front of the closed Sunset Line and Twine building, he said.

The officer saw a man, identified as Matthew Bylund, sitting on a sidewalk by vegetation close to the fire and called his attention to walk away from the blaze, Crosby said.

The fire quickly spread to a nearby palm tree with flames burning about 20 feet high, he said.

The Petaluma Fire Department was called to put out the fire that did not affect a nearby historical building or any other structures, Crosby said.

Bylund was arrested and booked into Sonoma County Jail on charges of public intoxication, obstructing an investigation by providing false leads/information and probation violation, he said.

Copyright © 2014 by Bay City News, Inc. -- Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited.

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