PALM BAY, FLA. - Authorities arrested a man they say was seen throwing a Molotov cocktail into the woods Wednesday in this Atlantic Coast town, where several homes have been gutted by wildfires this week.

Officials were questioning Brian Crowder, who authorities say 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, where the state has not held controlled burns to cut back vegetation.

He was charged Wednesday with six probation violations but has not been charged with any crime connected to the fires.

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

Authorities have said they think the wildfires burning in Palm Bay and neighboring Malabar were set by an arsonist or arsonists. Two classic Florida phenomena have fueled the flames: rampant development and a year-round growing season.

Since the fires began Sunday, about 20 homes have been destroyed and 140 other structures damaged.