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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Man arrested after domestic violence call leads to house fire

Fabian Harper, 49, faces a charge of domestic violence assault and may be charged with arson after police say they were dispatched to a home at about 4:30 p.m. Saturday in the 7700 block of North Maple Street. (KHQ)

Police arrested a man Saturday evening under suspicion of deliberately setting his house on fire during a violent altercation with his girlfriend.

Fabian Harper, 49, faces a charge of domestic violence assault and may be charged with arson after police say they were dispatched to a home at about 4:30 p.m. Saturday in the 7700 block of North Maple Street on reports of domestic violence, according to a news release.

While en route, officers said they received calls from neighbors saying the home was on fire. When crews arrived, they found the back of the building engulfed in flames with its occupants standing outside.

The Spokane Fire Department was able to extinguish the fire within 15 minutes, but the home suffered “extensive damage,” firefighters said. A home next door sustained damaged to its siding.

Harper was arrested shortly after.

A cause of the fire has not been determined. Depending on the results, further charges could be pending.