Gilbert man arrested on suspicion of burning house

  • Source: Arizona Republic, AZCentral.com & KPNX-TV NBC 12 Phoenix
  • Published: 02/04/2016 05:29 PM

PHOTO: A Gilbert man is accused of setting ablaze his former family home in late January, according to police. Patrick D. Barnes, 49, was arrested and booked Thursday into a Maricopa County jail on suspicion of failure to comply with a court order. Court documents show a judge ordered Barnes to stay at least 1 mile away from the house, which was soon to be sold as part of a divorce settlement. Gilbert fire and police departments were alerted to a house fire at about 4 a.m. Jan. 25 where the residence was “fully engulfed in flames” near Ray Road and 131st Street. Jesse Sanger, a Gilbert police spokesman, said the flames leaped 30 feet into the air from the home's roof, and the residence was considered to be a total loss. Fire crews were able to "knock down" the fire in about 30 minutes, and no one was injured. A tree house and car workshop were the only surviving structures on the property. The roof was destroyed, but a few remaining pieces were left hanging in the breeze. At the time of the fire, the house was vacant and for sale. Gilbert fire investigators quickly deemed the blaze suspicious. Sanger said an arson investigation is ongoing and that Barnes could face additional charges.



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