Thursday, December 25, 1997
Homeowner accused of starting fire to collect
insurance
By TANYA EISERER / Abilene Reporter-News
An Abilene man is suspected of torching his northside residence
early Christmas Eve in an apparent attempt to collect homeowner's
insurance, a fire official said.
Bryan Phillips of 834 Victoria was arrested by Abilene police
and taken to the Taylor County Jail for the alleged arson. He
has posted a $10,000 bond.
Abilene Fire Lt. Henry Davila said he will file second-degree
felony arson charges with the Taylor County District Attorney's
Office when it opens after the holidays.
"As far as I can tell, he was just trying to collect the
insurance," Davila said.
Phillips, 28, was picked up by police about 2:50 a.m. while
attempting to flee the burning, frame home, said Davila, the assistant
fire marshal.
Fire investigators had put the residence under surveillance
after receiving a tip that Phillips might try to set fire to the
house, which he was remodeling.
Davila said he and other investigators watched Phillips enter
the home alone and apparently set the fire. He then tried to leave
but was arrested.
"It appears that a flammable liquid, along with combustibles,
was used in the bedroom," Davila said.
Firefighters extinguished the fire but not before it heavily
damaged the bedroom. The remainder of the house had heavy smoke
and water damage.
In preparation for the fire, Phillips allegedly removed many
of his personal belongings, Davila said.
"As a matter of fact, he had a lot of personal items in
the vehicle when he was arrested," he said.
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Abilene Reporter-News / Texnews / E.W. Scripps Publications
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