Arsonist Or Flea Killer?

Arson Wildfire  A former Bayou La Batre City Councilman says he was killing bugs not trying to set his house on fire.
by Tiffany Craig
Published: Wed, June 24, 2009 - 5:15 pm CST Last Updated: Wed, June 24, 2009 - 8:23 pm CST
A former Bayou La Batre City Councilman accused of trying to set his house on fire says he was just killing fleas.

While Downey Street was being evacuated because of a large controlled burn that got "out of control" on Tuesday, Bayou Police believe an arsonist tried to burn down a house.

Police Chief John Joyner says a charred tree, scorched grass and a burn mark on the house look like arson. "The fact that witnesses had seen an individual in that area and things just didn't add up."

Former Councilman Henry Barnes owns the house and admits that he started some fires. He says it wasn't about burning the house but getting rid of some fleas.

Tiffany Craig asked, "Why did you choose to do it last night? Barnes answered, "I don't know. It just at the time, you know the smoke. I said you're not really supposed to burn but I gotta get rid of these fleas. Some might argue that you were doing it for insurance money? Please, when they come down there and look, they would probably depreciate it so much, I would owe them."

Barnes hasn't been charged but police are still investigating the case.

The former politician says he wouldn't be surprised if he gets charged with arson. He says in his four years on the city council, he did make some enemies.

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Yeah really do not know what his intentions were. Even if it was the fleas burning while it is the hot and dry not smart. Can not really buy into the whole doing it because others were doing it. If I see someone building a tent to live in during hurricane season does not mean I am going to do the same. Kind of weird that the cops are after him.

he might have been doing just that it was just awful dumb during a no burn season and as dry as it was. sorry the cops are after him, maybe this will scare them off him a while

I disagree with every one of you..I really think this guy was trying to get rid of the fleas and thought this would be an opportunity to burn while the other fire was burning and it got out of hand..Henry Barnes I might be the only one behind you..You do have to watch the Bayou Cops.they have it out for you watch out.

Yeah I can not do much with the outside. I live in an apartment complex. I just try to go weekly and spray around the outside of the doors and windows. They are the “sugar ants” but them little suckers will still bite. I miss having all tile and wood flooring because it was way easier to keep the mess and crumbs clean. Now the only thing that is tile is the kitchen and bathrooms.

I usually spray around the house outside on the bottom of the walls once or twice a summer and never have any problem with them,and with 5 great grands running around eating at once,it can get messy real quick.If I see a bed of fire ants outside I try to kill it quick as possible,but the little argentine ants,I believe they are call, I don’t bother if they are outside,because they will work over a termite bed real quick for the eggs and they go searching for them.

Would the flood be to flood the fleas that he did not burn out? I know with the rain lately I have been having problem with ants thinking that can take refuge in my house. Does not help that my daughter will drop a piece of food on the floor and hide it somewhere. Takes no more than 5 minutes for them to attack whatever she drops. Can not really spray any ant killer in the house because of my daughter the only thing I can do is spray it surrounding the outside of the doors a windows leading in. Anyone have any ideas on how to get rid of them safely. I vacuum like 5 times a day to get whatever crumbs she drops up.

Or a wind turbine to catch the next hurricane.LOL

Next hurricane the guy will probably decide to build a pond in the front yard of that rental.  LOL

i HEARD this guy was inquiring about how to start a flood.

LOL If he’s been reading some of these posts I’ll bet there is something else burning right now.Either way it goes,a poor plan of arson or little or no thought for what he was doing,He’s gonna get raked over the coals for it.

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