A 26-year-old South Carolina man, Joshua Spain, was arrested and charged with multiple counts of arson after allegedly setting a series of fires at an apartment complex in Antioch, Tennessee. Despite initially claiming to have witnessed a Black man ignite the most destructive blaze, investigators found no evidence to support his account.
The incident unfolded on December 5th, when firefighters were called to extinguish two dumpster fires in the parking lot of the complex. An hour later, a more serious fire erupted, engulfing an entire apartment building. Fortunately, there were no injuries.
Surveillance footage played a crucial role in the investigation. It captured a man wearing a black cowboy hat and dark clothing near the scene of each fire. The footage showed this individual, later identified as Spain, approaching the burning building with a large black object and leaving shortly after, with the fire visible in the background. He returned later, carrying cardboard, which he allegedly used to fuel the flames.
Spain provided investigators with a detailed account of the events, but his narrative involved a Black man as the culprit. He described the man using an antifreeze bottle and a green lighter to start the fire, claiming he had attempted to intervene and was subsequently assaulted. He also admitted to calling 911 but hanging up before providing a full report.
However, a thorough review of the surveillance footage revealed no evidence of a Black man in the vicinity during any of the fire incidents. Based on the video evidence, witness testimonies, and Spain’s own admissions, investigators concluded that he was solely responsible for all three fires. He was arrested and subsequently placed on a mental health hold.
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