LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — A Clearlake man arrested for arson last month and later released from custody has been arrested for a second arson case.

Patrick Blaine Squier, 66, was in court on Tuesday afternoon for the second of the two arson cases he’s now facing, which happened 15 days apart.

The Clearlake Police Department arrested Squier on two felony counts of arson for an incident that occurred on Aug. 23, said Chief Deputy District Attorney Rich Watson.

Watson said the fire in question occurred behind Foods Etc., located at 15290 Lakeshore Drive in Clearlake.

The fire was reported just after 11 p.m. Aug. 23.

Initial dispatch said it was a trash can on fire behind the store, according to radio reports. Firefighters found it against a building and near numerous propane tanks, between the store and the Adventist Health clinic. The fire was contained within minutes of dispatch.

Watson said Squier was arraigned on the arson charges on Aug. 26, at which point the court decided to release him on his own recognizance.

Then, Clearlake Police arrested Squier again early on Sept. 6 for felony arson and committing a new offence while on bail, based on court and jail records.

That new case, said Watson, was for a fire that occurred the day of Squier’s arrest behind the Grocery Outlet in Clearlake.

Radio traffic for that morning included a dispatch at 4:08 a.m. for a debris fire behind the Grocery Outlet, located at 14806 Olympic Drive. Minutes later, police ran Squier’s name over the radio.

By 4:36 a.m., the fire was reported to be out, with Clearlake Police on scene with firefighters.

Squier’s booking sheet for that fire shows he was arrested at 4:46 a.m.

Watson said Squier was arraigned on Tuesday for the Sept. 6 fire. “The District Attorney’s Office argued for Squier to remain in custody without bail.”

The court agreed to keep Squier in custody without bail, Watson said.

He said both arson cases are set for preliminary hearing on Monday, Sept. 15.

A review of Lake County Superior Court documents shows a Patrick Blaine Squier with numerous other criminal case convictions, including felony assault, criminal threats and possession of a controlled substance.

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