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LAYTON — Investigators are now calling a house fire in Layton a crime scene.
They say two fires started at the home near 200 West and Barbara Avenue, one in a shed and another in the house.
The man who lives at the home is in jail for not registering as a sex offender. Investigators wondered if the fires could be retaliation for a crime he committed.
Neighbors reported a fire at the home shortly after 1:30 a.m. When firefighters arrived, flames were shooting from the shed in the backyard and moved to the main house.
It took crews about 20 minutes to put out the fire, then the investigation into a cause began. Investigators say the fire is suspicious for a number of reasons.
The man who typically rents the home is currently in the Davis County Jail for not registering as a sex offender. Investigators say he typically lives in the shed, where the fire started.
"We know that this is suspicious because of the nature and a night time fire," said Doug Bitton with the Layton City Fire Department.
Investigators question if someone was trying to harm the man or retaliate for a crime he's committed. They also say the city has been working with the owner to have the home demolished because of its poor condition. "It's even worse now with the fire that's occurred here," Bitton said.
The owner is the mother of the man staying there. She does not think his past is connected to the fire. She claims this is the third suspicious fire set at the home in the past three months and may be the result of relationship problems.
No one was home at the time of the fire, and no injuries were reported.
Investigators are asking anyone who saw anything suspicious in the area to call the Layton City Fire Department.
