Suspect in solar plant arson case arrested

CHP officers have arrested Dr. Ivan A. Burnett, a technician at the newly opened Ivanpah Solar Power Facility. The solar plant, located 40 miles away from Las Vegas, is under investigation for being the source of the fire that occurred in the 8000 block of W Russell Rd in Las Vegas.

Witnesses say that the fire started when a directed beam of light came from the southeast, setting the roofs of the many buildings on fire. The flash of light was brief, but it was enough to turn the block into a firestorm.
"The only nearby places capable of producing such a beam of light are The Strip and the solar plant.... and The Strip isn't bright during the day."

Investigators say that coworkers believe that Dr. Burnett had been acting suspicious around the plant and was playing around with magnifying glasses in his free time. A final report of the event has not been issued, but it is believed that Dr. Burnett has modified the focal point of the solar tower to fire a massive beam of directed sunlight toward the Las Vegas area. The magnifying glass used has not been found, but a puddle of molten glass was found at the base of the tower hours after the fires were reported.

Ivanpah Solar plant officials have declined to comment on the matter but are being cooperative with the investigation.

Investigators believe the focal point on the tower was modified
(Image Source: http://www.brightsourceenergy.com/)