Irvine man charged with setting several fires

A 39-year-old Irvine man was charged Thursday with setting several fires in Irvine this week.

Imran Saaduddin Ahmad was charged with three counts of arson of an inhabited structure and single counts each of arson of a forest and use of a destructive device with the intent to injure, all felonies. He also faces sentencing enhancements for arson with the use of an accelerant.

There was no major damage as a result of the arsons, said Deputy District Attorney Angela Hong. Four properties were torched, and in one case he started a grass fire, Hong said.

All of the blazes occurred about 7 a.m. Monday within a 3-mile radius in Irvine, Hong said.

Ahmad pleaded not guilty Thursday and was ordered to return to court July 13. He was being held in lieu of $1 million bail.