Lucchesi Park fire being investigated as possible arson: police

PETALUMA, CA – Petaluma police and the Petaluma fire inspector's officer are investigating a fire that broke out near the Lucchesi Park soccer field early Monday morning.

The fire was reported around 4:45 a.m. near the 200 block of Maria Drive. The Petaluma Fire Department said it destroyed a portable toilet and threatened a nearby storage container containing Petaluma Youth Soccer League property.

Firefighters extinguished the flames, but the heat and smoke damaged the soccer league's belongings stored in the container.

Petaluma police also responded and found some suspected evidence nearby, Lt. Z. Rivera of the Petaluma Police Department.

“The Petaluma Police Department and the Petaluma Fire Inspector's Office are investigating this as an arson…,” Rivera said. “They will conduct a joint investigation, drawing on Petaluma FD's experience in fire science and Petaluma PD's familiarity with crime scene investigation, as well as their familiarity with preparing investigations for prosecution in the Sonoma County courts. “

Investigators asked anyone with potential leads or suspicious information to call Petaluma PD at 707-778-4372