Sacramento Metro Fire District investigators confirmed Monday afternoon that 18-year-old Morgan McGinn is responsible for intentionally setting at least seven recent Carmichael fires and possibly as many as eight others.
The announcement was made Monday afternoon in a Sac Metro press release. According to the statement, McGinn admitted to investigators that he was responsible for starting the following fires, as well as eight additional fires still under investigation:
- Aug. 17: The Phoenix Schools Private Preschool at 2921 Garfield Avenue
- Aug. 17: Debris Fire, Loma Linda Apartments at 5545 Marconi Avenue
- Aug. 18: Marconi Montessori School at 5619 Marconi Avenue
- Aug. 18: Carmichael Library at 5600 Marconi Avenue
- Sept. 23: Carmichael Presbyterian Church at 5645 Marconi Avenue
- Sept. 23: Vacant House at 2937 Myrtle Lane
- Sept. 29: Attempted Arson to Occupied Structure (Address Confidential)
Metro Fire arson investigator Steven Johnson said McGinn explained his motive to him in one sentence:
"I wanted to see myself on TV."
So far, investigators believe McGinn was working alone. Though the 18-year-old admitted to intentionally setting 15 fires in the Sacramento area, Metro Fire investigators have officially determined the young man responsible for seven so far.
"(McGinn) wouldn't say where the other eight were located when they started," said Metro Fire spokeswoman Michelle Eidam. "So he admitted to 15, seven he would confirm the locations, the other eight he would not say where they were."
Eidam said investigators would continue to piece together evidence before confirming McGinn was in fact responsible for the remaining eight fires.
At this time McGinn has been charged with five counts of arson and two counts of burglary, Eidam said.
According to the release, the total damage caused by McGinn’s fires is estimated to be $750,000. No injuries were reported in any of the fires.
Johnson confirmed McGinn is a Carmichael resident and according to McGinn's Facebook page, he was from Citrus Heights and attended La Vista Center in Fair Oaks.
McGinn is currently being held in Sacramento County Jail where his bail is set at $450,000. He is scheduled to appear in court on Oct. 2 at 1:30 p.m.
