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SALT LAKE CITY — A Salt Lake man accused of burning down a vacant Sconecutter restaurant has been arrested.
Benjamin Harris Dillman, 51, was arrested Thursday for investigation of aggravated arson.
Firefighters were called about 11:40 a.m. Thursday to the old Sconecutter, 2040 S. State, on a report of a fire.
“By the time fire (crews) arrived on scene, the entire structure was fully engulfed in flames,” according to a police affidavit.
The building was a total loss.
Witnesses told authorities they had noticed Dillman squatting down behind a nearby bush prior to the fire starting, the affidavit states.
“When (Dillman) stood up, there was a small fire started underneath the bush. The bush quickly became engulfed in flames which in turn started the building on fire,” according to the affidavit.
South Salt Lake police located Dillman down the street in a Winco parking lot. He was brought back to the Sconecutter where witnesses identified him as the man who started the fire, the affidavit states.
