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An Oroville man, who admitted to investigators he was testing newly purchased fireworks, has been charged with arson for the Thompson Fire that started in Butte County on July 2.
The Butte County District Attorney on Monday said Spencer Grant Anderson, 26, is charged with arson of an inhabited structure, arson of forest land and arson causing multiple structures to burn.
According to Cal Fire, the 3,789 acre fire that is now fully contained, destroyed 26 structures, including residences and businesses.
According to the D.A.’s office, the fire was started near the intersection of Cherokee and Thompson Flat Roads in an unincorporated area northeast of Oroville.
Anderson allegedly has a prior domestic-violence related conviction, the D.A.’s press release said.
If convicted as charged, Anderson faces upwards of 21 years in state prison. He was arraigned in Butte County Superior Court on Monday afternoon. He is being held in the county jail on a no-bail hold. He is expected back …