Bakersfield Man Arrested for Attempting to Set his Neighbor on Fire
Homemade flamethrower used in attack
BAKERSFIELD — A 53-year-old Bakersfield man was arrested on Monday morning after trying to set his neighbor on fire.
William Curtis was booked into the Kern County Jail for attempted murder, possession of a destructive device, assault with a deadly weapon, attempted burglary, criminal threats, and trespassing.
According to the Kern County Sheriff’s Office, the incident took place at around 11:30 a.m. on Dec. 7 in the 3300 block of Center Street in Bakersfield.
Deputies responding to a peace disturbance call said they arrived to find that Curtis tried to light another man on fire with a homemade flamethrower.
During their investigation, deputies said they learned that Curtis had allegedly threatened to kill a woman during an argument with neighbors.
A man related to the woman arrived and confronted Curtis, who tried to light him on fire. The victim was not injured.
