■Fresno Fire Department investigators arrested 18-year-old Alfred Sosa on Monday, accusing him of starting two dumpster fires in downtown Fresno.

■Dumpster fires damaged the historic Peerless Building and the Valley Foods grocery store.

■Sosa is being held at the Fresno County Jail on $135,000 bail.

Fresno Fire Department investigators on Monday arrested a man suspected of starting two dumpster fires in downtown Fresno on Feb. 9.

Alfred Sosa, 18, is being held at the Fresno County Jail on three felony charges related to arson. Investigators suspect Sosa of starting a fire in a dumpster and then pushing the dumpster up against the historic Peerless Building at 1755 Broadway St., damaging the building.

They also believe Sosa started a similar fire at 50 Van Ness Ave., damaging the Valley Foods grocery store.

“Anyone setting intentional fires in our community will be investigated, arrested, and prosecuted,” said Fresno Fire Chief Billy Alcorn. “Our firefighters work incredibly hard to respond to numerous emergency service calls each day, and intentionally set fires have the potential of delaying their responses to those true emergencies within our community. These acts will not be tolerated.”

Video surveillance footage led investigators to a relative of Sosa who identified him. Sosa lives in the downtown area. As of Thursday, Sosa was still in custody in the Fresno County Jail.

18-year-old Alfred Sosa was detained Friday after firefighters were called to a dumpster fire behind the Peerless Building in downtown Fresno. Sosa was arrested for arson on Monday.https://t.co/HrKrOdFbVY pic.twitter.com/GnCm56uktO

— FOX26 News (@KMPHFOX26) February 13, 2024