Martinez resident taken into custody after investigators found her responsible for setting a fire near a gas station

Martinez, California – Police have taken into custody a suspect after an investigation showed that arson was the cause of a grass fire that broke out in Martinez on Tuesday and got alarmingly close to petroleum tankers and a gas station. Fortunately, a larger incident was avoided since firefighters were able to extinguish the fire.

According to the findings of the investigation, the fire was started in the vicinity of the Martinez reservoir along the 3500 block of Pacheco Boulevard and burned vegetation in that area. The fire was quickly brought under control by fire crews. The site of the fire is just next to a truck diesel filling station and a 7-Eleven gas station.

Fire investigators and the Martinez Police Department have determined that the person responsible for the fire is 41-year-old Martinez resident Laura Lee Royer.

The fire was quickly brought under control by fire crews.

Royer was taken into custody on bail of $75,000 and is charged with Penal Code 451(c) Arson to Vegetation.

Pacheco Fire Update, Con Fire Investigators and Martinez PD have identified the person responsible for setting this fire. Laura Lee Royer, 41, of Martinez was taken into custody and charged with Penal Code 451(c) Arson to Vegetation. pic.twitter.com/RMaKii8lt5

— Con Fire PIO (@ContraCostaFire) July 5, 2022