Arson arrest made over largest of Washington state's wildfires

A man has been arrested on suspicion of arson over the largest of the wildfires that have forced more than 60,000 people to evacuate from the city of Spokane in Washington state.

Three major fires have been burning around the north-western state's second-most-populous city since the weekend, with firefighters still working to contain the flames.

Aaron Farinacci, 37, was allegedly seen kneeling near grass at the site of the fire and later found to have matches and a lighter, the Spokane County Sheriff said.

More than 700 buildings in the area have been destroyed, and thousands of acres of land have been burned near Spokane, a city of some 230,000 people about 280 miles (450 km) east of Seattle.

Washington Governor Bob Ferguson said it was a "nightmare situation", adding: "This is likely the worst natural disaster in Spokane history."

The city's mayor Lisa Brown said there was still "the potential for lives to be lost" and that it was too early to say when people might be able to return home.

The destruction, however, has left local residents in shock and despair.

"I shouldn't have been back here, but I had to see my house," Ken Anderson told NBC News, standing near the skeletal remains of his home.