Northern California Fire Damages Homes; DUI Suspect Arrested

SHASTA LAKE, Calif. (AP) — A suspected drunk driver has been arrested for causing a crash that ignited a fast-moving wildfire that damaged three houses and forced residents to flee a neighborhood in Shasta Lake.

The Shasta County Sheriff's Department says deputies who responded to the blaze Saturday afternoon found a car that was left abandoned by 28-year-old Joshua Devaney of Oak Run. He later approached a deputy who was conducting evacuations and admitted that he was the driver of the wrecked vehicle that started the 75-acre blaze.

He was arrested and booked for driving under the influence of alcohol.

Fire officials say the blaze is 25 percent contained.

The sheriff's department said multiple structures including three houses were damaged in the fire. Witness photos show at least one structure burnt to the ground.