One man is in jail and another is at large after their Wednesday morning arson spree endangered the historic Mission building in downtown Sonoma. Between 4 a.m. and 6 a.m., police say the duo torched the contents of two dumpsters in Depot Park, and set afire a wooden structure in the rear courtyard of the Mission.
Travis Smith, 27, a homeless Sonoma man, was arrested for arson later Wednesday morning. Smith and his accomplice were seen taking photographs of the dumpster fires, most likely with a cell phone, police said.
The description of Smith given by a park neighbor matched that of a man police found knocking over garbage cans a few blocks away from the fires. The witness, a city employee, was brought to the site and identified Smith. According to police, matches and a butane lighter were found in his backpack.
The dumpster fires were quickly doused. The structure fire, behind the Mission along First Street East, was also swiftly contained.
The fast response of fire crews and lack of wind prevented a major historical loss. The shed stands about 20 feet from the chapel wing of the Mission building. Made primarily of adobe, the entire structure has exposed wood beams, including under the roof tiles. A large pile of wood and eight wooden benches stored in the shed were charred but did not ignite.
The shed was built about 40 years ago, according to ranger Brandon Penrose. Made entirely of wood in a lean-to style, the structure measured about 40-feet wide by 25-feet deep. It did not collapse, but the fire opened huge holes in the roof and walls.
A spokesman from Sonoma Valley Fire & Rescue said the structure was a total loss. The State Parks department, which operates the Mission, will wait until the investigation is complete to discuss replacement options.
The shed housed materials for school field trips during which students would learn of life during the mission period. Items used for demonstrations of basket and candle making, along with kitchen implements, were all destroyed.
Smith was arrested on arson charges and taken to the Sonoma county jail. As of Thursday afternoon, he had not made his $40,000 bail.
