Calif. Fire Sparked By Police Chase September 30, 2009 22:47

Sep 30, 2009 4:35 pm US/Pacific

Roseville Police say a fleeing suspect sparked a grassfire that briefly threatened homes and a sprawling casino outside of Sacramento.

Police spokeswoman Dee Dee Gunther says the suspect led police on a 13-minute chase as officers tried to arrest him on suspicion of trying to steal a generator from a construction site.

The 60 acre fire was burning near Foothills Boulevard and Sunset Boulevard, coming within a half-mile of Thunder Valley Casino.

California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection spokeswoman Chelsea Fox says no homes or businesses were damaged in the blaze.

Patrick John Henry, 40, was arrested on suspicion of grand theft and evading police.

This is the second fire in Placer County today. The Hollow Fire was burning in the Fowler area near Hardscrabble Road in Lincoln. Cal Fire had four engines, an air tanker and help from four other agencies in battling the flames.