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Sam Penrod and Randall Jeppesen reporting A fire at a Provo apartment complex has been ruled arson, and police arrested a suspect.
Chief Coy Porter, Provo Fire Dept.: "As of last night we were doing our investigation when, as you know, Mr. Landry showed up here to the scene and was taken into custody."
The suspect is a Hurricane Katrina evacuee from Louisana.
Police were looking for him last night, when he showed up at the scene just before ten and asked our KSL crew what was going on.
A Provo Police officer immediately recognized Landry as the person of interest in the fire and took him in for questioning.
Landry was booked into jail early this morning on charges of aggravated arson.
Fire investigators have been at the scene this morning as they continue to investigate the fire.
It broke out around 4:30 yesterday afternoon in the apartment of Herbert Landry. Landry had been evicted on Saturday and told to have his belongings out by Sunday.
In all, 22 units were evacuated because of the fire. Nine apartments are said to be completely destroyed.
Investigators found signs of an accelerant in Landry's apartment, and from the start considered it arson.
Chief Coy Porter, Provo Fire Dept.: "There are pour patterns on the floor from the accelerant where it normally wouldn't be burning; there are v patterns showing amount of heat in the bedroom."
Herbert Landry was taken in by police last night after he talked to us. Investigators say his story was inconsistent with other evidence. They also say a dog trained in investigating arsons found traces of an accelerant on Landry himself.
Residents in an apartment complex say they are outraged after learning a former tenant is suspected of setting fire to the building.
Keith Clark has pulled his belongings outside. Most of his kitchen is destroyed, but he says he's optimistic.
Keith Clark, resident: "Most of our things are okay. We're going to be able to wash most of the smoke out. Our neighbor Martha, she didn't fare so well."
Landry had been in the Utah County jail for twelve days this month on drug charges. Now he is there again, facing arson charges in the apartment fire.
The fire is estimated to have caused 300-thousand dollars in damage.
