San Jacinto Man Arrested on Suspicion of Arson in Connection with Hemacinto Mobile Home Park Fire

A San Jacinto man has been arrested on suspicion of arson in connection with a fire that damaged a residence at Hemacinto Mobile Home Park early Saturday, Cal Fire announced Monday.

Another fire Sunday at Hemacinto Mobile Home Park destroyed one residence and damaged four others, said Jody Hagemann of Cal Fire-Riverside County.

Randall T. Austin, 51, of San Jacinto, was arrested Sunday night and booked at Southwest Detention Center in Murrieta, according to Capt. Mike Smith of Cal Fire-Riverside County.

Austin was charged in connection with the Saturday fire, Hagemann said in a phone interview Monday. The cause of the Sunday fire remained under investigation, Hagemann said.

The first fire was reported at 12:57 a.m. Saturday at 2150 S. San Jacinto Ave. in San Jacinto.

The first engine company on scene reported a mobile home inside the park on fire, Hagemann said. Firefighters quickly contained the blaze and remained at the scene several hours.

One man was unharmed, but he displaced from the home due to extensive fire damage, Hagemann said.

The second fire at Hemacinto Mobile Home Park was reported at 6:17 p.m. Sunday, Hagemann said. A total of five mobile homes sustained damage - one was a total loss, one had moderate damage and three had minor damage, Hagemann said.

One woman was displaced and the American Red Cross responded to assist her. Paramedics treated one person for minor smoke inhilation, Hagemann said.

The fire was declared "under control" at 6:54 p.m., according to Cal Fire.

Cal Fire investigators arrested Austin at 9:45 p.m. Sunday, and he admitted he intentionally started the fire, according to Smith and inmate records.

Randall was booked late Sunday on suspicion of arson and burglary, according to inmate records. His bail was listed Monday at $50,000.

The case was being handled by the Riverside County District Attorney's Office, Hagemann said Monday.