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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Suspected arsonist arrested near T.J. Meenach Bridge on Saturday afternoon

A 26-year-old man who lit several fires, including one to a Lime for-rent bicycle, was arrested Saturday afternoon near the T.J. Meenach Bridge in northwest Spokane, police said.

Mitchell R. Sander faces three charges of second-degree arson, according to a news release. Multiple witnesses called police just after 4 p.m. after they said Sander set fire to a lawn that burned a radius of about 20 feet near the bridge, police said. 

Sander continued on foot toward the bridge, burning grass and brush. High winds on Saturday made the possibility of a larger fire probable, police said. 

Sander was listed in custody of the Spokane County Jail on Sunday morning. Second-degree arson is a felony offense carrying a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, a $20,000 fine or both.