Man arrested for fire that destroyed Merced apartments

MERCED, Calif. (KFSN) -- A Merced man is in jail, accused of starting a fire that destroyed several apartments last week. Police arrested James Salvadori on Saturday after a fire battalion chief spotted his vehicle about a half mile from the crime scene. The 31-year-old is being held on arson charges.

The fire broke out early Wednesday morning at a complex on T and Third streets. Four to five units were destroyed, and at least six others were damaged. Nearly a dozen elderly and disabled residents were displaced as a result.

Investigators say Salvadori's mother had recently moved out of the vacant unit where the fire started, and he was seen in and around the area afterward. They're still looking into exactly how the fire was sparked.