Christmas Tree Fire Destroys Mobile Home; Resident Jailed
A fire destroyed the mobile home of a Ventura man Monday who started the blaze by purposely lighting his Christmas tree, authorities said.
William Hans Lewis, 31, was booked into the Ventura County Jail on suspicion of arson after telling police he was “glad” the mobile home burned. Bail was set at $20,000.
Lewis’ roommate at the Victorian Mobile Home Park on Arizona Drive told police the man had been acting and talking strangely that afternoon and had been listening to “satanic music.”
The unidentified roommate told police that after smelling an unusual odor he walked into the living room to find Lewis holding a cigarette lighter to the Christmas tree.
The roommate told police he believed flocking on the tree would act as a fire retardant and did not try to stop Lewis.
However, when Lewis flicked his lighter again the tree caught on fire, which quickly spread.
The pair had just enough time to run out of the house, police said.
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