Kings County deputies and fire department assist in arrest during Kettleman City fire

Fire officials told deputies upon the fire department's arrival at the scene of the fire that they discovered a male standing nearby. The male approached them with his hands in the air and told fire officials he started the fire with a lighter to be arrested and then deported to Mexico.

The suspect, Felipe Dejesus Acosta Castro, explained that the fire made his pants too hot, and he removed them.

According to fire officials, approximately 200 acres had burned at that stage in the investigation. Investigators were unable to locate Felipe's pants and the lighter. They would attempt to find them the following day during the daylight hours. 

Deputies booked Castro into Kings County Jail on three counts of felony arson. His bail was set at $130,000.