Over 130 structures destroyed as arson-triggered Park Fire reaches nearly 240,000 acres in California

02:02

California's Park Fire explodes in size to over 160,000 acres

Numerous homes have been burned as the Park Fire continues to spread across Northern California near Chico.

CHICO, Calif. – A massive wildfire that is burning homes and neighborhoods just outside Chico, California, continues to explode in size Friday as firefighters work to tame the flames and police investigate a suspected arsonist accused of starting the blaze in a bizarre event.

The Park Fire began in Bidwell Park just before 3 p.m. local time on Wednesday. It quickly reached nearly 6,500 acres by Wednesday night, as local officials scrambled to get threatened residents to safety, according to CAL Fire in Butte County. The fire has since grown to nearly 240,000 and has destroyed 134 homes, fire officials said.

"The fire quickly began to outpace our resources because of the dry fuels, the hot weather, the low humidities and the wind," said CAL FIRE Butte County Fire Chief Garret Sjolund.

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Fire officials said "numerous" homes have been destroyed, but it's too early to get an accurate count. They have treated two firefighters for minor injuries so far.

One burning home went up in an explosive ball of flames as firefighters and media covered the blaze Wednesday night. 

01:07

Home explodes as flames from California's Park Fire engulf neighborhood

The Park Fire has now consumed several homes outside Chico as it swells to over 150,000 acres. One home exploded Wednesday as the flames tore through a neighborhood. (Video courtesy: AIO Filmz Media via Storyful)

Another eerie sight came Thursday when a swirling fire tornado was picked up on tower cameras monitoring the fire's growth.

03:41

'Firenado' swirls over Northern California's Park Fire

Weather Command breaks down how massive wildfires, such as the Park Fire burning near Chico, California, can create its own tornado-like vortex.

WATCH: ‘FIRENADO’ FORMS ALONG CALIFORNIA's PARK FIRE. LEARN HOW THEY FORM:

Over 4,000 residents have been evacuated, including several hundred within the city of Chico, according to Butte County Sheriff Kory Honea.

And now firefighters will face even more challenging weather conditions as Fire Weather Warnings are now in effect for the region, adding gusty winds to the hot and dry conditions that have been in place for weeks.

Suspected arsonist arrested 

Meanwhile, a 42-year-old man is now in the Butte County Jail, suspected of starting the fire. Witnesses spotted a man next to a car where a fire had started under the left wheel of what turned out to be the suspect's mother's vehicle, and watched it burn, according to Butte County District Attorney Mike Ramsey. 

Satellite image of Park Fire

"(The witness) felt that his activity was somewhat strange and that he was doing nothing other than watching the fire," Ramsey said during a Thursday evening news conference.

Ramsey said the man climbed into the vehicle for a few moments, then got out and pushed the flaming car down a 60-foot embankment into a gully, where it eventually burned up, spreading flames into the nearby brush.

From there, the wildfire took off, setting off urgent evacuations. Ramsey says the arsonist tried to blend in with the others who were scrambling to evacuate.

Time lapse video of the Park Fire near Chico, California. 

(ALERTCalifornia | UC San Diego via Storyful)

However, investigators were later able to identify their suspect, who was arrested and booked into the Butte County Jail on Thursday morning. Ramsey said he’s currently being held without bail until a Monday court appearance.

Meanwhile, evacuated residents have been offered shelter at a church in Chico.