Chico, California: Woman Arrested for Arson

CHICO, Calif.- A Chico woman has been arrested for allegedly starting several fires in Lower Bidwell Park. 36-year-old Micheal Childers-Marchick was taken into custody just after 8 a.m. Wednesday. Police say she lit several small fires near One Mile Recreation Area. 

A person nearby saw the suspect light the fires, followed her and called police, who were able to track her down. Firefighters were able to quickly put out the fires before they could spread.  

Childers-Marchick is likely connected to another fire reported earlier, just after 6:30 a.m., according to Chico Police. That fire, near Big Chico Creek in the 1100 block of Bidwell Avenue, was put out quickly as well. 

The earlier fire was reported by a woman approached by a man who told her, “Michelle did it,” according to Chico Police.