The man accused of starting a fire this month that has destroyed almost 700 buildings in Washington state told investigators that he planned the arson two weeks in advance and was responsible for starting two dozen other fires since last year, according to court records. 

Aaron F. Farinacci, 37, was arrested Monday and charged with suspicion of first-degree arson in connection with the Old Trails Fire, which is one of three blazes burning in the Spokane region. Police were led to Farinacci by a tip from someone who saw a man bent by the side of the road near some grass and appearing to be nervous. Farinacci was questioned and released, Spokane County Sheriff John Nowles said Monday. 

Farinacci was again identified when major crimes detectives began investigating reports and footage from body cameras, which indicated the fire started near where the witness had seen a man by the side of the road. Farinacci had matches and a butane lighter when he was arrested, Nowles said.

He was initially charged with one count of first-degree arson in connection with the Old Trails fire, the New York Times reported. On Wednesday, prosecutors said they would bring four additional charges of arson against Farinacci. He faces life in prison if convicted on the initial charge. 

Michael Drapeau, a detective for Spokane County, wrote in an affidavit that Farinacci "feels fire is powerful, beautiful, and that things that go through fire experience a kind of rebirth." 

In 2010, Farinacci shot and killed his father after an argument about washing dishes, police said. Farinacci also shot himself but survived, the Associated Press reported at the time. He was charged with murder but pleaded guilty in 2012 to manslaughter and aggravated assault, court records show. He was released from prison in 2020.