A West Valley City homeowner is behind bars after police say he intentionally set a fire inside his own place that put nearby townhomes at risk. The man, identified in court documents as 36-year-old Christopher Andrews, was arrested May 19 and booked on a charge of aggravated arson.
According to FOX 13 Salt Lake City, first responders were called to the 5600 block of West Pelican Ridge Lane on May 19 for a reported house fire. When they arrived, officers say Andrews was already outside, taking photos of the smoke and flames. Fire investigators later concluded the blaze started near a basement window where a mattress had been propped upright. Several butane canisters were found close by, and detectives say Andrews told them he used butane fuel for torches to smoke. Investigators say the fire was started on purpose with an open flame and an accelerant.
What the charge means
Under Utah law, aggravated arson covers situations where someone intentionally damages a habitable structure using fire or explosives. It is classified as a first-degree felony, a level that reflects how seriously the state treats fires that can threaten residents and first responders, according to the Utah Code.
Court action and safety concerns
Officials have requested that Andrews be held without bail, arguing that the fire put adjoining units in danger and that he did not call 911 to report the emergency, according to FOX 13 Salt Lake City. Court papers cited by the outlet note the home was in foreclosure and that utility service had been shut off, which prompted investigators to look more closely at other possible ignition sources. Andrews was taken into custody on May 19 and remains jailed while investigators and prosecutors continue to review the case.
Why a mattress and butane are especially hazardous
Mattresses and bedding are notorious for helping small fires blow up fast, and they are linked to a disproportionate share of fatal home fires. Add in an open flame or an accelerant like butane and conditions can turn deadly in minutes. Recent research from the NFPA underscores how quickly these materials can drive intense, hard-to-survive fires. Fire experts urge residents to test smoke alarms regularly, keep anything that can burn well away from ignition sources, and call 911 immediately at the first sign of smoke or flames.
Andrews remains in the Salt Lake County jail on the aggravated arson allegation as the case moves through the courts. Further details are expected to emerge in upcoming court filings and official releases.
