Man burns trash, fire spreads to nearby property, deputies say

SAN BENITO, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A man was taken into custody for burning trash that led to several cars catching on fire, deputies say.

_{^{Juan Gomez is charged with arson after burning trash that caused damages to neighboring properties. (Source: Cameron County Sheriff's Office)}}

Juan Gomez, 22, was charged with arson, a state jail felony, according to a news release from the Cameron County Sheriff's Office.

At 7:15 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 1, Cameron County deputies responded to the 32000 block of Bent Tree about a fire. At the scene, authorities saw a mobile home and several vehicles on fire.

The release states, due to high winds the fire spread to nearby properties causing damages.

The San Benito Fire Department arrived at the scene and extinguished the fire. During the investigation, authorities spoke with Gomez, a resident of the property where the fire began.

Gomez told deputies, he was burning trash and the fire got out of control. Neighbors reported to Cameron County deputies that this is not the first time Gomez burned trash and it got out of control.

Gomez was booked into the Carrizalez Rucker Detention Center and pending arraignment.