Florida ? Authorities arrested a man they say was seen throwing a Molotov cocktail into the woods Wednesday in Palm Bay, where several homes have been gutted by wildfires this week.

Officials questioned Brian Crowder, who authorities allege set a small blaze that was quickly extinguished. They also asked the 31-year-old about larger wildfires that have found ample fuel in developments in the region, blazes he denied involvement with.

A resident alerted police after seeing Crowder throw an object from his car that sparked the small fire, Palm Bay Detective Ernie Diebel said. The object was a glass bottle containing a flammable liquid, Berger said.

Since the fires began Sunday, about 20 homes have been destroyed and 140 other structures damaged. The damage was estimated around $9.6 million, authorities said. Officials had earlier reported 40 homes destroyed.