Police say home in Centerville set on fire by armed home-invasion suspect

CENTERVILLE, Utah — A home is destroyed, one person is under arrest and multiple people have been hospitalized after an armed suspect set a house in Centerville on fire and tried to steal a car.

Centerville Police say the suspect, a 37-year-old man, was unsuccessful in his attempt to steal a car from the house near 329 E. 1825 N., after reportedly starting the house on fire. 

Additionally, the press release also states that as the suspect was dumping gas inside the house, he also dumped gas onto one of the homeowners. Luckily, the homeowner was able to avoid being harmed by the fire. He then allegedly punched the homeowners a few times, according to police. 

Roughly, a dozen homes in the area were temporarily evacuated. 

The identity of the victim is being withheld until he is booked into jail, according to police. 

As officers arrived on the scene, the suspect was taken into custody with the use of a Taser. The suspect and homeowners were transported to the hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. 

Additionally, six police officers were treated and released on the scene for smoke inhalation.

Dave Powers, with the South Davis Metro Fire, says their investigators will work closely with the Centerville Police Department and its crime lab in the investigation of the incident.

We have a home completely destroyed by fire and at least two other homes damaged.

— Centerville Police Dept (@cpdutah) July 21, 2022

They also said that at least two other homes were damaged by the flames.

Police are still searching for a motive.

This story is developing and will be updated.

 

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