In the early morning of yesterday, July 2, 2021, Ukiah Valley Fire Authority firefighters responded to reports of a mattress on fire outside of Jack in the Box located on the 1000 block of Airport Boulevard. Investigators determined the fire had been purposefully lit and Ukiah Police Department officers arrested 37-year-old Fort Bragg man Royce Fulton for the crime of arson.
Ukiah Police Department Lieutenant Andrew Phillips told us after Ukiah Valley Fire Authority’s arson investigators determined the mattress was purposefully lit on fire, “Fulton was arrested and booked in jail.”
Ukiah Valley Fire Authority Battalion Chief Eric Singleton said firefighters found a “mattress with burns on it” when they responded to the scene.” He described the fire as “smoldering” by the time firefighters arrived and confirmed the arson investigator determined it was purposefully lit.
The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Booking Logs indicate Fulton faces charges of arson of property and arson during a state of emergency, both felonies.
It is important to remember this information has not been proven in a court of law and any individuals described should be presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Jack in the Box is a really big problem with homeless people, they even come up to your car when you are in the drive thru, Ukiah is getting worse and worse, so many empty buildings, one which burned down a few years ago and it’s still a very ugly site, some streets are horrible to drive on, I do not know how Ukiah can attract any one coming thru Ukiah to enjoy our town when it is so run down, so sad.😢