Arson suspect sent to mental institution

PASADENA, Calif. (KABC) -- A homeless man accused of setting a small brush fire days before the massive Station Fire has been sent to a mental institution.

Babatunsin Olukunle was declared mentally incompetent to stand trial last month. A judge ruled he will stay at the institution until he is declared competent.

The 25-year-old transient pleaded not guilty to recklessly starting a fire in the Angeles National Forest in August. That fire burned just a small amount of brush.

Six days later the Station Fire broke out.

Fire investigators have questioned Olukunle about the Station Fire and plan to do so again.

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