A Scottsbluff man has been charged with setting seven fires in the city of Scottsbluff over the last two months, including one last Saturday night that destroyed a trailer full of clothes and other items behind the Goodwill store. Matthew Ralston, who turns 20 Monday, is charged with five counts of second degree arson and two counts of third degree arson.

Ralston was arrested Thursday night a block away from where a fire had been set at the vacant City Limits Motel on East Overland. Ralston is also accused of starting a fire at the Lakota Lutheran Center September 13th, a residence fire August 29th in the 1200 block of 5th Avenue, a trailer fire at at 5th Avenue and 12th Street September 17th and two dumpster fires earlier this week.

Ralston is being held in the Scotts Bluff County jail in lieu of bond.