Burlington Police arrest 26-year-old man in connection with 5 overnight fires
BURLINGTON, N.C. (WTVD) -- Burlington Police have made an arrest in a rash of fires overnight that caused at least $200,000 in damages.
Surveillance video showed images of a man that police said may be responsible for the fires that kept police and firefighters busy early Saturday morning in east Burlington.
Miguel Angel Gomez Amaya, 26, of Burlington, was arrested overnight. Amaya was charged with one count of first-degree arson, two counts of burning a commercial building, seven counts of breaking and entering, and six counts of burning of personal property.
Around 2:40 a.m., police responded to 2178 N. Church Street (Enterprise Rent-A-Car) after reports that smoke was seen coming from the building.
Between 3 a.m. and around 6 a.m., multiple fires were reported at additional locations:
- N. Church and Bland Boulevard (multiple vehicle fires)
- N. Church Street and Nike Street (vehicle fire)
- 300 block of Watson Street (vehicle fire)
- 2000 block of N. Church Street (behind DaVita North Burlington Dialysis)
Damages to the locations and property are still being calculated but are already estimated to be more than $200,000.
Amaya received a $500,000 bond and was taken to the Alamance County Detention Center.
Multiple agencies responded to these fires, including the Burlington Fire Department and the Office of the State Fire Marshal.
Anyone with additional information is asked to please call the Burlington Police Department at (336) 229-3500. For anonymous methods, call Alamance County-Wide Crimestoppers at (336) 229-7100 or use the mobile app, P3 Tips. Tips provided through Crimestoppers may be eligible for cash rewards.
