Man arrested in fire at South Tucson homeless center

A man was arrested in connection with a Tuesday morning fire at the donation center of Gospel Rescue Mission in South Tucson.

Claire Franklin Pierce, 61, was arrested on suspicion of arson of an occupied structure and felony criminal damage, said Lt. Jeff Inorio, a South Tucson Police Department spokesman.

Pierce was booked into the Pima County jail.

The fire started about 3 a.m. at the Gospel Rescue Mission Donation Center in the 300 block of West 28th Street, near South 10th Avenue. 

The blaze appeared to have started in the center’s yard, where donated items are stored, Inorio said.

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The fire spread to a building on the property and also damaged at least two vehicles. No one was injured.

During the investigation, a man of interest was identified as making threats to "set the place on fire", Inorio said. He said the man was detained shortly after the fire.

While the man was interviewed by investigators, he made statements of his involvement in the fire, Inorio said.

South Tucson police and fire were assisted by the Pima County Sheriff's arson and crime scene units. The Tucson Fire Department also assisted in battling the blaze, and stopping the fire from spreading to other buildings and nearby houses.