Believing he set fire to his own home, authorities arrested a 19-year-old Fairfax man last week and charged him with arson. They did not release his name, but the incident occurred Tuesday, Dec. 2, around 8:30 p.m. and caused an estimated $250,000 damage.
Units from both the City of Fairfax Fire Department and the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department responded to the blaze at 10903 Fairchester Drive in the City of Fairfax. Upon arrival, fire was reported in the attic and in a bedroom at the rear of the house.
Information provided by the City of Fairfax stated that an investigation conducted jointly by the City Fire Marshal and Police Department “resulted in a finding that the fire had been intentionally set by a 19-year-old resident of the home. The suspect also allegedly caused additional damage to the home, including broken windows and damage to a family member’s car in the driveway.”
The suspect was taken to the detention center and charged with arson of an occupied dwelling and intentionally burning personal property. He was held pending a bond hearing. Because of the fire, the home was declared uninhabitable and three family members were displaced. The American Red Cross helped them find temporary lodging at a local hotel. No one was injured.
-- Bonnie Hobbs