Press Release: Man Arrested for Arson After Setting Fire to South Coast Water District Shed

LAGUNA BEACH, CA – On September 29, 2023, the Laguna Beach Fire Department communications center received reports of a structure fire at the South Coast Water District building, located at 31792 Coast Highway. Personnel from Laguna Beach Fire Department, Orange County Fire Authority, and Laguna Beach Police Department responded to the scene and discovered a storage shed engulfed in flames. The fire was quickly extinguished.

Investigators from the Laguna Beach Fire Department’s Fire Investigations Unit responded to investigate the cause of the fire.

Andrew Bell, 52 years of age, was located a short time later at a nearby hospital receiving treatment for fire related injuries. Investigators determined Bell had started the fire. Investigators arrested Bell for arson and have determined the fire to be an isolated incident.

Anyone with information regarding this fire is urged to contact Investigator Schulenburg at 949-416-9163 or aschulenburg@lagunabeachcity.net.