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NORTH SALT LAKE -- A man was arrested for arson after fire investigators in North Salt Lake say he intentionally started a house on fire Sunday night.
Investigators found an accelerant was used to start the fire. That eventually led them to a suspect, who admitted to getting into an argument with the homeowner.
Humberto Vallejo was booked into the Davis County Jail Thursday night on charges of aggravated arson.
The fire broke out Sunday night and destroyed the home near 100 South and David Way. No one was inside, but firefighters weren't sure when they arrived and sent a search and rescue crew inside the burning home.
The next day a dog trained in fire investigation hit on some accelerants in the rubble, and investigators knew they were dealing with arson.
Several people were interviewed, and Thursday night Vallejo confessed he started the fire.
South Davis Metro Fire Deputy Chief Jeff Bassett said, "During his interview and speaking with our investigators, he confessed to them of starting that fire. He mentioned that the morning of the fire, there was an argument between the homeowner and himself."
Exactly what that argument was about and what led Vallejo to start the house on fire is still being investigated.
Firefighters say there was a large amount of an ignitable liquid used to set the fire, which made it burn much faster. That posed a greater danger not only to firefighters, but to neighboring houses as well.
Damage from the fire is over $125,000.
Criminal charges against the suspect are expected sometime next week. For now, he's in the Davis County jail.
E-mail: spenrod@ksl.com
