Official: Man arrested for torching homes, said he set fires to release stress

Marco Martinez, 21, arrested on arson charge

SAN ANTONIO – A man was arrested after he allegedly told officials he set two homes on fire Sunday night.

Marco Martinez, 21, faces an arson charge after officials were called out to two fires in Medina Valley, according to a Bexar County Fire Marshal Chris Lopez.

Bexar County firefighters were called around 10 p.m. Sunday to a home in the 12600 block of Paseo Bajo. An hour later, a fire was reported at a home in the 12400 block of Cinco de Mayo.

Upon arrival at the Cinco de Mayo home, firefighters found him inside while it was in flames, Lopez said.

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He was arrested on-site by Bexar County Sheriff’s deputies.

Martinez later told officials he set both of the fires, and he did so to release stress, the marshal said.

Martinez also said he wasn’t on drugs at the time of the arson and he belongs to the Orejon gang, according to the marshal.

His bond was set at $40,000, according to the Bexar County Magistrate’s Office.

Marco Martinez, 21, has been arrested on an arson charge after two homes in Medina Valley were set on fire. (KSAT)

About the Authors

Rebecca Salinas is an award-winning digital journalist who joined KSAT in 2019. She reports on a variety of topics for KSAT 12 News.

Sarah Acosta is a weekend Good Morning San Antonio anchor and a general assignments reporter at KSAT12. She joined the news team in April 2018 as a morning reporter for GMSA and is a native South Texan.

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