Minnesota Landlord Blasts ‘We Didn’t Start The Fire’ After Setting Apartment Ablaze
One Minnesota landlord set his apartment on fire on fire while blasting Billy Joel's hit song 'We Didn't Start The Fire'.
The incident happened in the Lincoln Park neighborhood in Duluth, Minnesota. According to WDIO, 37-year-old Travis Lee Carlson, was charged with first-degree arson after setting is own duplex on fire at 2402 West Fourth Street.
The fire was reported in the owner's upstairs apartment of the duplex around 4 am on May 18th, 2023. According to reports, Carlson was gone by the time first responders arrived, however, Billy Joel's 1989 hit was heard blasting from the flames.
It was reported that a neighbor called 911 saying they saw Carlson wearing a helmet and smashing his own windows. The neighbor also told investigators on the scene that they saw Carlson under his truck with gas cans, going in and out of the house before flames started coming from the upstairs apartment. Police found a hole in the gas tank of Carlson's truck with a drill and multiple gas can lids on the ground nearby.
The Duluth Fire Department released a press release about the incident. The DFD was on the scene in a matter of minutes, 1 Tower and 1 Engine attacked the fire and ventilated the building, knocking down the flames. 2 Engine, arrived shortly after, due to being out on a fire alarm call in the Lincoln Park area.
It was also noted that all residents evacuated the building safely, including a house cat. Three residents were also displaced by the fire. However, they are being assisted by the American Red Cross.
The DFD reported no injuries from residents or the fire department. Damage to the duplex is estimated at $25,000 and Carlson's bail has been set at $75,000.