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Man accused of setting sister's vacant home on fire in Phoenix
Posted
A man is suspected of setting his sister's vacant house on fire earlier this week in Phoenix.
The incident happened around 7 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 19 in the 1700 block of West Latham Street, southeast of Interstate 10 and 19th Avenue.
On Sunday, Phoenix Fire said crews were dispatched to the area and found a small house with a working fire. Firefighters got the fire under control, with no injuries reported.
Officials said the home appeared vacant, with the cause unknown at the time.
According to court documents for James Jonathan Burgos III, 37, authorities learned he had allegedly set a backpack on fire in front of the home on Saturday night after getting into an argument with his grandparents, who live nearby.
Around 6:40 a.m. the following morning, Mr. Burgos returned to the home and allegedly set the house on fire. Police learned the home was owned by Mr. Burgos' sister. The fire caused about $175,000 worth of damage, records state.
Authorities learned Mr. Burgos has had an ongoing feud with his family members and has allegedly made numerous threats to burn down the house on Latham Street.
Video surveillance at a business across from the home reportedly shows Mr. Burgos coming to the home on multiple occasions between Saturday night and Sunday morning, setting a backpack on fire and later walking around the house with some sort of light source, records state.
After he fled in a vehicle, smoke starts to come from the home and a the entire home illuminates on video, records state.
Phoenix police developed probable cause to arrest Mr. Burgos Tuesday, Jan. 21 at an apartment southeast of Loop 101 and Interstate 17.
Mr. Burgos reportedly admitted to police that he does not like his family. However, he declined to speak further without an attorney.
He was jailed in lieu of a $15,000 bond on charges of reckless burning and arson. He is due in court Jan. 29 and 31.
