A late-afternoon scare hit Banning’s civic center Tuesday when small fires flared at City Hall and the police station. The flames were knocked down quickly and no injuries were reported, authorities said.
Incident details
The Banning Police Department said the trouble started around 4:45 p.m., when fires were set at the front of the police station and behind the City Hall building on E. Ramsey Street, according to CBS Los Angeles. Officers and city staff quickly put out both blazes and secured the scene before they could spread.
Suspect identified and charged
Investigators soon identified 40-year-old Kenneth Baker as the suspect and arrested him near Ramsey Street and Fourth Street. In their release, police described him as "a member of the city's homeless population." Baker was booked into the Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility on two counts of arson, attempted arson and possession of a destructive device, and police praised the case as "an excellent example of a well-executed investigation," per CBS Los Angeles.
How officials say the spread was prevented
City officials credited patrol officers and the department's Homeless Liaison Officers with rapidly identifying and arresting the suspect, and they thanked a city staff member whose actions helped ensure the City Hall fire did not grow. The City of Banning posts official updates, including police press releases and public-safety notices, on its website for follow-ups and community information, per City of Banning.
Charges and legal context
Baker faces arson and weapons-related counts that carry significant penalties under state law. Arson convictions can result in multi-year prison terms, and possession of a destructive device is separately proscribed. Arson is defined in Penal Code §451, while laws governing destructive devices appear at Penal Code §18710.
What comes next
The Riverside County District Attorney's Office will review the investigation and decide whether to file formal charges, and the city said it will post any updates to its public-safety pages. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the Banning Police Department.
