Three major fires engulf Spokane with authorities warning of further deaths

A man has been arrested on suspicion of arson in connection with the largest of the wildfires that have ravaged the city of Spokane in Washington state, forcing more than 60,000 people to flee their homes in what the state's governor has described as a "nightmare situation" and "likely the worst natural disaster in Spokane history". Three major fires have been burning around the north-western state's second-most-populous city since the weekend, with firefighters continuing their efforts to contain the flames amid fears that rising temperatures later this week could exacerbate the crisis. The Spokane County Sheriff confirmed on Tuesday that Aaron Farinacci, 37, was arrested after he was allegedly seen kneeling near grass at the site of one of the conflagrations and was later found to be in possession of matches and a lighter.

The fires have exacted a devastating toll on the city, with more than 700 buildings destroyed and a further 400 yet to be assessed for damage, while thousands of acres of land have been consumed by the advancing flames. No deaths or injuries have been confirmed, but authorities are attempting to make contact with 14 individuals who have not responded to mobile phone calls, although they are not yet formally classified as missing. Sheriff John Nowels suggested that many of those whom officials have been unable to reach had likely been evacuated but had lost mobile signal or depleted their phone batteries, noting that the chaotic nature of the evacuations had complicated communications. Spokane's mayor, Lisa Brown, struck a cautious note, warning that there remained "the potential for lives to be lost" and that it was too early to speculate on when displaced residents might be permitted to return to their homes.

The three fires in the Spokane area – known as Old Trails, Fairview and Autumn Lane – are among a total of 16 wildfires currently burning across Washington state, according to the state's department of natural resources. While firefighters have made significant progress against two of the blazes, and lighter winds and cooler temperatures were forecast for Tuesday, the respite is expected to be temporary, with temperatures predicted to climb again later in the week. Governor Bob Ferguson has issued a statewide ban on all outdoor fires, with Commissioner of Public Lands Dave Upthegrove warning that "our firefighters are already stretched thin across the state, and with more heat and wind expected this weekend and for the rest of the summer, any new spark on our tinder dry landscapes can lead to another devastating wildfire". He urged Washingtonians to exercise extreme caution, adding: "I'm urging all Washingtonians to not be that spark."

The arrest of Mr Farinacci, who is being held on a charge of first-degree arson with bond set at $1 million (£744,150), relates specifically to the Old Trails fire. Sheriff Nowels disclosed that the Spokane resident has a previous conviction for manslaughter, though no further details were provided about his prior record. Video footage from the city has captured the terrifying speed of the fire's advance, showing flames tearing through residential neighbourhoods as helicopters flew overhead in a desperate attempt to quell the inferno. Among those who have lost everything is Anna Andreachi, who told BBC News partner CBS News: "All of our memories are gone. My dad just died, and all of his stuff was still in there too." Her testimony was echoed by Joe Cvancara, who managed to save his own home by digging a fire line but confessed to experiencing "survivor's guilt" after watching his neighbour's property be destroyed. "We're going to open our home to our neighbours," he said. "I know it's going to take a long time to rebuild."

More than 900 firefighters have been assigned to the Washington fires, with reinforcements expected to arrive from other states in the coming days. The scale of the disaster has drawn attention to the broader context of climate change, with scientists emphasising that human-induced warming makes the warm, dry conditions that facilitate wildfires more likely, while also contributing to more frequent and intense heatwaves and the potential for prolonged summer droughts. As the residents of Spokane begin to confront the monumental task of recovery, the arrest of Mr Farinacci has added a grim dimension to an already catastrophic situation, raising questions about whether this devastation was the result of natural forces alone – or of deliberate human agency.