Fire bug marks arson anniversary with a fire

Many people have a singular, passionate interest. Maybe it’s sports, or coin collecting, perhaps nude skydiving. For James Bates, that passion unfortunately appears to be arson. One year ago, the New Smyrna Beach, Fla., man was convicted and sentenced to ten years felony probation for arson, but the call of flame was apparently too much to resist. Earlier this week, 911 dispatchers were alerted to a fire by a caller who said the house next door to his was “engulfed in flames” that "were going silly now," and “really getting goofy.” Yup, it was Bates. Deputies arrived to find him sitting in his yard, beer in hand, watching the pyrotechnics. Police dogs arrived and led officers to … Bates. He has been charged with arson and burglary and is no longer on probation. [Source]

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