California wildfires: Spencer Grant Anderson is accused of starting a devastating fire in Oroville by throwing fireworks out of his car window

OROVILLE, California – A 26-year-old man is accused of starting a devastating California wildfire in early July by throwing fireworks out of a car window during hot, dry and windy weather.

Spencer Grant Anderson of Oroville was charged Monday after weeks of continuous surveillance by investigators, the Butte County District Attorney's Office said.

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The Thompson Fire ravaged nearly 6 square miles (15.5 square kilometers), destroying 13 homes and damaging others in the Oroville area of ​​the northern Sacramento Valley.

Anderson was held without bail after appearing in court on charges including arson of an inhabited structure, arson on forest land and arson resulting from a fire involving multiple structures, prosecutors said in a statement.

Anderson will appear in court again on Wednesday to set additional dates for entering a plea and for pretrial hearings, the office said.

“It was a lengthy investigation, there were a lot of moving parts,” Larry Pilgrim, Anderson's lawyer, told The New York Times. “He is currently only being charged.” Pilgrim did not immediately respond to requests from The Associated Press seeking comment.

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The fire broke out shortly before 11 a.m. on July 2 when temperatures were above 38 degrees Celsius, humidity was low and strong winds were blowing, authorities said.

A car seen at the scene of the fire led to the identification of Anderson the next day and a lengthy surveillance while investigators put their case together. They concluded that a burning object was thrown from the vehicle, the office said.

On August 22, warrants were issued and Anderson was arrested. Authorities claim that during questioning, he admitted that he had purchased fireworks in Oroville and went to the location to test one by throwing it out his car window.