A Missouri man was arrested on arson charges last month after he allegedly set a home in Independence on fire with four people inside.
None of the people inside were hurt in the fire, which the Independence Fire Department extinguished, KCTV reported.
Tylor A. Burghoff, 35, was arrested two blocks from the fire, and police said they found two lighters in his pocket. A witness identified him as a man they saw watching the flames and laughing before walking away.
The owner of the home, who said she knew Burghoff, reported seeing him outside yelling and laughing before the fire started. Another witness reported seeing Burghoff take a blue can from under a table on the porch. He reportedly knocked on the door, but the residents inside did not answer the door.
Investigators found the blue can near the fire damage on the front porch. It contained acetone.
The fire damaged the porch and siding but did not spread inside the house. All four residents were evacuated safely. Two of them had been sleeping at the time.
Burghoff denied starting the fire.
According to court records, he has previous arrests for drug distribution and property damage.
He was given a $30,000 bond and is due in court on Tuesday.
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[Featured image: Tylor Burghoff/Jackson County Detention Center]
