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

Man confesses after being burned in fire he set

Authorities say a man confessed to setting home on fire about 5:30 a.m. Saturday morning as retaliation against the occupants for “jumping him” a few days ago. Israel Barrera, 29, called Spokane police to confess and ask for treatment to second-degree burns he sustained while setting the fire at 411 S. Maple St., Officer Tim Moses said in a news release. An investigator with the Spokane Fire Department arrested Barrera at a hospital for first-degree arson. He sustained after sustaining burns caused by a “flammable vapor explosion,” from using of an accelerant, according to a fire department news release. The home was unoccupied at the time and Barrera was the only person injured. There is significant damage to the house due to the use of accelerant and residents will not be able to occupy it, according to the news release. Damage is estimated at $40,000.