How a grandfather’s quick thinking led fire investigators to a Spokane arson suspect
Grandfather’s Observations Help Pinpoint Arson Suspect in Spokane Wildfires
Healfromzero.com – A routine Saturday drive through the rural outskirts of Spokane, Washington, turned into a crucial piece of evidence in one of the region’s most devastating wildfire events. Paul Child was traveling with his grandson to visit a neighbor when he noticed a man pacing along the roadside. The stranger glanced at their vehicle as they passed, but Child barely registered the encounter at the time.
Just fifteen minutes later, after stopping to pick up his grandson’s friend, Child found himself retracing his route back toward home. This time, the same man was visible in the identical location, but his behavior had changed noticeably. He was bent over near some bushes, appearing visibly nervous and agitated.
The connection didn’t click immediately. It wasn’t until Child returned home and received a phone call from his daughter about a nearby fire that the pieces fell into place. When he stepped outside, he witnessed a thick plume of smoke rising from the exact spot where he had observed the mysterious man earlier that day.
From Witness Account to Arrest
Child’s keen observations proved instrumental in helping law enforcement identify Aaron Farinacci, a 37-year-old Spokane resident, as the prime suspect in the Old Trails Fire. According to Spokane County Sheriff John Nowels, the origin of the blaze was “indeed exactly where the witness had seen Mr. Farinacci kneeling in the grass.”
Fire investigators determined that the cause of the Old Trails Fire was consistent with an open flame applied to vegetation, the type of ignition one would expect from a lighter or match. During his initial detention, Farinacci was found carrying waterproof matches and a butane lighter, items that would later support the arson investigation.
“Farinacci denied starting the fire and denied being in the area of the fire,” and said he was walking on a route that he frequents almost daily, the affidavit filed in court says.
Despite his denials, deputies used body-worn camera footage from their encounters with Farinacci to build a comprehensive case. An arrest warrant was obtained on Monday, and Farinacci was taken into custody without incident. His residence was subsequently searched under a separate warrant.
A Growing Crisis in Spokane
The Old Trails Fire marked the beginning of a series of devastating blazes that have swept through the Spokane region. Since the fires began on Saturday, more than 10,000 acres have been consumed by flames. Tens of thousands of residents have been forced to evacuate their homes, and hundreds of properties have been destroyed in the infernos.
Farinacci was formally arrested and charged with first-degree arson on Tuesday. He appeared in Spokane County Superior Court via video link from jail while firefighters continue their efforts to contain the three active wildfires. His bond has been set at $1 million, and an arraignment hearing is scheduled for Thursday. CNN has been unable to locate contact information for his legal representation.
“It takes a tragic situation and just makes it more heartbreaking,” Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson told CNN Monday night. “… To think that much of this damage could have been caused by an individual doing this on purpose.”
Farinacci’s Criminal History
This is not the first time Farinacci has drawn attention from law enforcement regarding wildfire incidents. According to a probable cause affidavit, last summer he was contacted about two separate fires, including one described as “suspicious” that started near his residence. He was neither arrested nor charged in connection with those earlier incidents.
Farinacci also has a documented history of violent crime. He previously pleaded guilty to the manslaughter and aggravated assault of his father and served time in prison until 2020. Investigators have used this background, along with physical evidence and witness testimony, to strengthen their case against him.
For Paul Child and his family, the experience has been both fortunate and unsettling. Their property escaped the flames entirely, and they have since returned to their home. Child immediately took action when he noticed the smoke, calling 911 and notifying neighbors in the area. He also flagged down a passing fire department vehicle and police officer, providing them with a detailed description of the man he had seen.
Within thirty minutes of Child’s initial observations, a police officer informed him that law enforcement had detained someone matching the description. Child, his grandson, and the grandson’s friend then accompanied authorities to confirm that the detained individual was indeed the same man they had spotted earlier.
While Farinacci was initially detained and questioned in the area, he was released before investigators fully understood the scope of the incident. Deputies were not aware of the fire’s point of origin or source at that time. It was only after a fire investigator determined that the blaze was consistent with grass being ignited by a match or lighter that the case began to take shape.
The revelation that one of the fires may have been set intentionally has added another layer of grief for affected residents. The combination of natural disaster and potential human negligence has left many questioning how such devastation could have been partially preventable. As the investigation continues, Farinacci’s legal proceedings will provide further insight into whether his actions were deliberate or coincidental.
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