Utah man trying to kill spider with lighter started Springville wildfire, police say – KSL.com
Cory Allan Martin, 26, told deputies he tried to burn a spider with his lighter while hiking in the foothills south of Salt Lake City.
Martinbwas arrested Monday above the Bonneville Shoreline Trail near Springville after confessing to starting the 40-acre fire. He did not explain why he was trying to burn the spider.
The fire department received a call at 4:45 p.m. Monday from an unknown individual who reported seeing smoke coming from the mountain. Five different fire departments collaborated to put the fire out, but had to leave the mountain at 9 p.m. due to a storm that quickly rolled in.
The fire was fast-moving and caused no major damage, but did draw the attention of Utah Gov. Spencer Cox. The area is bone dry amid extreme drought conditions.
Police don’t know why the man used a lighter to kill a spider, but he was arrested and is being booked into jail on a fire-related charge.
The 26-year-old man was arrested on charges of reckless burning and being in possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia after he allegedly started a wildfire while trying to burn a spider with his lighter.
Firefighters and police warned people not to use a lighter to kill a spider.
For more details on this story, consider the news outlets listed below to stay in the know.
- Utah man trying to kill spider with lighter started Springville wildfire, police say KSL.com
- Utah man accused of causing wildfire by burning a spider The Associated Press – en Español
- Man trying to burn spider with lighter sparked Utah wildfire, police say The Guardian US
- Rain douses wildland fire near Springville that started with man trying to ‘burn a spider’ KUTV 2News
- Suspect arrested for causing brush fire in Springville, tried to kill spider with lighter KSL News
