By Mike Hazlip–
Authorities are investigating two separate fires that broke out Friday afternoon, both near residential areas in Citrus Heights.
One fire was reported around 3 p.m. at the north end of Pitcher Street near Robert Circle in the Mitchell Village Park, records show. Witnesses at the scene reported seeing flames on both sides of a bridge over Arcade Creek that connects the residential neighborhood with a play structure and bike trails.
A few minutes later, another fire was reported near a SMUD station about a quarter mile north of the first fire, authorities said.
Sacramento Metro Fire Battalion Chief Carl Jewell said the fires were between one to two acres each and that the fires were separate incidents. Both fires appear to be incendiary fires, according to authorities, although investigators were still working to pinpoint a cause Friday afternoon.
Local resident Erica Basson said she was home with her husband and their young child when the fire broke out.
“I was taking a nap, and my husband woke me up and told me that our backyard is on fire,” Basson said, noting that fire crews were already on scene. “That side exploded a little faster than the other side, but they eventually got it. It’s kind of scary, there’s a lot of dry grass.”
Carmen Dickinson said she was staying with her sister who lives in the Mitchell Village housing development when she saw flames while out walking her dog.
“I spotted it from the walkway, and I texted my sister a video and said you might want to check this out, this doesn’t look normal, there’s a fire in the bush area,” Dickinson said.
Dickinson added that her sister called authorities and fire crews arrived just minutes later.
The bike trails, parks, and play structures that are part of Mitchell Village were constructed as part of the KB Home development, according to previous reports by The Sentinel. Once completed, KB Home transferred the property to Sunrise Recreation and Parks District for ongoing maintenance, according to The Sentinel.
It was not immediately clear if the metal bridge sustained any damage as a result of the fire. No homes were damaged, and no evacuation orders were given, Jewell said. No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
