Woman charged with arson in devastating Grass Valley fire

A woman accused of starting a devastating fire in the Sierra Nevada foothills has been arrested on arson charges, authorities said.

Police in the Nevada County city of Grass Valley responded to three 911 calls around 3:20 p.m. reporting smoke and fire in brush around Nevada City Highway and Gates Place, authorities said.

Witnesses pointed out a woman. After her arrest, she spontaneously claimed that she had accidentally started the fire with a cigarette, said Grass Valley Police Lt. Brian Blakemore.

She later recanted her statement and then said she started the fire when she tried out a lighter in the bushes, Blakemore said. The suspect, identified as Elizabeth Houston, 49, was arrested on suspicion of arson.

The wind-borne flames quickly reached the southernmost edge of Sierra Motor Sports' property, where the company stored 50-gallon drums of discarded gasoline, Blakemore said. When those caught fire, all of the buildings on the property were destroyed, including the main showroom, an outside maintenance building and several smaller sheds and storage buildings.

The business owners told police the damage was at least $1.5 million. Sierra Motor Sports has been in business for more than 30 years.

“Definitely a huge loss, not just for the company but for the entire community,” Blakemore said.

The Grass Valley Fire Department and the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection were able to contain the initial brush fire to about 3 acres and save several other structures in the area, including several homes and a flower shop, authorities said. The fire also temporarily prompted evacuation orders for surrounding areas, but those were lifted shortly before 5 p.m.