Suspected San Francisco arsonist arrested after playground fires

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) — A suspected San Francisco arsonist was arrested this week in the Richmond District following a series of playground fires. On May 26, officers wearing plainclothes patrolled a neighborhood where several recent suspicious fire had been ignited.

That afternoon, patrol officers saw a 29-year-old man, Joseph Martinez, igniting objects in a park around La Playa and Balboa streets. “Officers later observed a large active working fire,” the San Francisco Police Department wrote.

While firefighters extinguished the big blaze, police officers found Martinez nearby and arrested him.

Martinez was booked into San Francisco County Jail for arson, possession of incendiary device with the intent to set fire, possession of methamphetamine, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Last week, a jungle gym at Lafayette Elementary School in the Richmond District was destroyed by a fire. It was the second suspicious fire to strike the school this May. Another fire caused massive damages at Lincoln Park Playground.

Investigators did not say if police have directly connected Martinez to the playground fires.

“SFPD is aware of several recent suspicious fires in the Richmond District, and we are continuing to work with the San Francisco Fire Department in our joint Arson Task Force to investigate these cases,” the police department wrote. Anyone with information is asked to contact SFPD at 415-575-4444.

Richmond District Playground Fires Timeline:

The following timeline was released by San Francisco Fire Department officials:

• On May 1, a 911 caller reported smoke from Lafayette Elementary School. SFFD crews found an outside utility shed on fire and doused the flames.
• On May 10, a 911 caller reported a playground slide on fire at Lincoln Park Playground. SFFD crews responded and extinguished the fire within seven minutes.
• On May 18, 911 callers reported a fire on the playground at Lafayette Elementary School. SFFD crews contained the fire within 15 minutes.
• On May 21, multiple 911 callers reported a fire at an outside play structure at Lincoln Park Playground. SFFD crews found the play structure and surrounding vegetation on fire. This fire was contained within 30 minutes.