Community Risk

Man Arrested for One of Two Suspicious Fires at Lodi, CA, Pallet Yard

Sept. 3, 2024

Lodi firefighters and police are working to determine if the Lodi pallet fires are related.

A Stockton man was arrested on suspicion of igniting a fire on Sunday at a pallet yard in San Joaquin County.

Francisco Castillo, 41, was arrested without incident and booked into the San Joaquin County Jail. He faces charges of arson, loitering, and possession of drug paraphernalia, Lodi police told KCRA.

Lodi and other firefighters battled the four-alarm blaze for hours.

"We are doing a joint police and fire investigation looking for the cause and origin of the fire. We do believe this fire is suspicious being its location. And we're looking for anyone who might know information regarding the fire," Lodi Fire Chief Ken Johnson said.

About the Author

Susan Nicol | News Editor

Susan Nicol is the news editor for Firehouse.com. She is a life member and active with the Brunswick Volunteer Ambulance & Rescue Company, Oxford Fire Company and Brunswick Vol. Fire Co. Susie has been an EMT in Maryland since 1976. Susie is vice-president of the Frederick County Fire/Rescue Museum. She is on the executive committee of Frederick County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association. She also is part of the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS) Region II EMS Council. Susie is a board member of the American Trauma Society, Maryland Division. Prior to joining the Firehouse team, she was a staff writer for The Frederick News-Post, covering fire, law enforcement, court and legislative issues.