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The Dec. 6 firebombing of an Albuquerque abortion clinic was not orchestrated by organized anti-abortion extremists, fire investigators say.

Instead, a man whose ex-girlfriend planned to have an abortion at the clinic set the place on fire before her appointment, according to court documents.

Sergio T. Baca, 22, along with friend Chad D. Altman, 25, have been arrested on federal charges of arson and could face additional charges of violations against the federal Freedom to Access Clinic Entrances act.

Investigators with the Albuquerque Fire Department and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives declined to comment on the motive in the case, citing a continuing investigation, though they said no further arrests are pending.

"Tips came in, and they've been pounding the pavement for the last two weeks," Fire Department spokesman Capt. Mike Paiz said.

Witnesses in a hotel overlooking the clinic, Abortion Acceptance of Albuquerque, told investigators they saw two hooded figures near the clinic who then drove away in a van.

A co-worker of Baca's roommate called detectives with information about a possible suspect, according to a federal criminal complaint.

In court documents, detectives say Baca's ex-girlfriend told him of her plans for an abortion at the clinic at 801 Encino Place N.E., and that Baca went to the clinic on the day of the fire, mailed her some pamphlets from the office, then left.

Investigators say Baca later took Altman in Altman's van to the clinic between 10 and 11 p.m. and set the place on fire.

A hair was found on a broken window, and DNA was found in a glove left in the parking lot, according to the complaint.

A small gasoline can was thrown through the clinic window and the fumes ignited, said Jake Gonzales, the Albuquerque ATF resident agent in charge. The clinic was ruined and shut down.

The complaint also says Altman singed his beard during the attack and later had to shave it.

After the fire, the National Abortion Federation, a professional group for abortion providers, issued statements that the fire was yet another reminder that the fight for women's unfettered access to abortion is not over.

Indeed, 20 days after the Abortion Acceptance clinic fire, the roof of Planned Parenthood's abortion clinic in Albuquerque was set on fire and windows were broken out at a Planned Parenthood family planning clinic.

Gonzales said there is no indication the Christmas morning acts are linked to the Dec. 6 fire.

"But it is quite a coincidence," he said.