A Utah man is facing serious charges after he allegedly started a massive wildfire while trying to kill a spider Monday evening.
At around 5 p.m., Springville Fire Department received an alert of a fire north of town on the mountainside and responded to find flames at 40 acres “and growing.”
“As fire crews responded, they got to the area where it appeared that the fire had started, and there was a man there with his dog,” UCSO Sergeant Spencer Cannon said.
“He told them that he was there and that he was the one who started it and that he had been using a lighter to burn a spider. We don’t know why he was doing that.”
By the following morning, the wildfire reached roughly 60 acres with only 10 percent contained.
“Firefighters expect the containment to drastically increase by end of shift. Two crews, one engine, and one squad will be on [the] scene,” the Utah Fire Info said.
Police arrested the suspect who had “drugs and paraphernalia in his backpack.” He is now facing a drug possession charge and reckless burning.
