Arsonist arrested after series of small fires at elementary school: police

SANTA ROSA, California. – Fires were set repeatedly for several days near the school premises of an elementary school in Santa Rosa. It was suspected to be an arson attack.

Santa Rosa police allege 61-year-old resident James Conforti set at least four separate fires at Southwest Community Park, 1698 Hearn Ave., between Sept. 16 and 20.

The fourth fire broke out around 1 p.m. Friday on the property of Meadow View Elementary School at 2665 Dutton Meadow. The school had imposed a curfew after heavy smoke was reported in the area.

The curfew was lifted after the smoke cleared. No injuries or damage to buildings were reported.

All four fires were quickly extinguished by the fire department; the area was less than one hectare, police said.

Firefighters were on site Friday to monitor the area around the park, as the three previous fires had broken out next to each other and at about the same time.

On Friday, a Santa Rosa fire inspector noticed a “suspicious person” in the area and attempted to stop her. She was later identified as Conforti, but she managed to get away.

Police said they found Conforti at a hotel in the 2600 block of Corby Avenue shortly before 10 p.m. that evening.

Santa Rosa detectives concluded he was responsible for the four fires and booked him into the Sonoma County Jail. He was charged with four counts of arson and had a warrant out of Santa Clara County for hit-and-run.

Conforti's bail was set at $150,000.

KTVU has reached out to Meadow View Elementary School for comment and is awaiting a response.