Man arrested, accused of starting Raymond Fire in Madera County

MADERA COUNTY, Calif. (KFSN) -- Smoke is still coming out of what's left on a 40-acre property in Madera County following a fire earlier this week.

The owner says he's devastated and frustrated because this isn't the first time a fire has impacted his property.

"Just to finish my fencing all around it will be over $100,000," Jaswinder Kang said.

Jaswinder Kang is the owner of 3-V Feed and Garden Supply on Yosemite Avenue in Madera County.

He also owns the 40 acres of property across the street that went up in flames on Monday afternoon, averaging an estimated $300,000 in damages.

"Nothing is scarier than seeing a fire coming at your house and I can only imagine what those businesses went through as the fire ripped through that area," Madera County Sheriff Tyson Pogue said.

Pogue says the fire started along the river and was spotted by witnesses who pointed to 34-year-old Hilario Vargas Martinez.

"[Martinez] took off running. A foot chase ensued for about a mile, and eventually, deputies took this man into custody," Pogue said.

Martinez is facing three felony counts of arson and three felony counts of recklessly setting a fire.

Pogue says every fire is taken seriously, especially amid hot and dry weather.

"We are extremely grateful for the efforts of CAL FIRE and keeping the fire at bay and we are really lucky this didn't cause death and destruction," he said.

Meanwhile, Kang says the devastation and loss is infuriating and nothing new.

He's owned this property for over 20 years and noticed an uptick of unhoused people along the river, starting fires and damaging his property.

"We can't expand. I can't feed my animals. I can't do anything. Every night imagine the stress I sleep with and in the middle of the night when I get up," Kang said.

He's hopeful the county will take action about the homeless crisis along the river.

In the meantime, he's not giving up on his property and business.

Sheriff Pogue says this fire is another reminder to always stay alert of those around you and be prepared for possible evacuations.

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