Man Allegedly Sets Tree Afire, Destroys Trailer
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VENTURA — A fire Monday destroyed the mobile home of a Ventura man 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 that Lewis had been acting and talking strangely that afternoon and had been listening to “satanic music.”
The roommate told police that after smelling an unusual odor he walked into the living room to find Lewis holding a cigarette lighter to the tree.
The roommate told police he believed flocking on the tree would act as a fire retardant and did not try to stop Lewis. But when Lewis flicked his lighter again, the tree ignited and the fire quickly spread. The pair had just enough time to run out of the home, police said.
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