Man Arrested on Suspicion of Arson in Hay Bales Fire That Burned for Hours

A fire at a hay and grain business in the Riverside County community of Norco kept 35 firefighters busy more than two hours, authorities said.

Authorities arrested a man in his early 20s later Monday morning on suspicion of arson in a fire fueled by about 2,500 bales of hay, according to police. Details about the investigation were not immediately available.

The man was arrested after a search of his vehicle, authorities said. 

Security cameras captured the arsonist on video, an employee at Tony's Hay and Grain told NBC4.

"It appeared that he was using gasoline," the employee, who asked not to be identified by name, said. "He was really quick. He knew what he wanted to do."

The was reported at 1:51 a.m. in the 1300 block of Sixth Street, said Tawny Castro of the Riverside County Fire Department. The flames were out at 4:07 a.m. after consuming one hay barn, an exterior hay pile and a vehicle.

About 25 people work at the business. 

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