Man Accused of Intentionally Setting Fires at Fort Worth Home With Woman, Children Inside

A man is accused of setting fire to a home and vehicle in Fort Worth early Saturday following a domestic incident, fire officials say. Courtney Eugene Smith, 39, was being held Sunday at the Arlington city jail on arson charges. His bail was set at $195,000.Fort Worth firefighters were called about 4:30 a.m. Saturday to a vehicle fire in the 3700 block of Hulen Park Circle, near McCart Avenue. When they arrived, they saw a home was also in flames. Arson investigators determined the fire had been intentionally set in three locations — the vehicle and two points of entry in the home, fire department spokesman Mike Drivdahl said.The incident began Friday evening and escalated to a domestic disturbance between Smith and a woman in the home with whom he had a relationship, Drivdahl said. At least two children were also in the home, he said. It's unclear how the children were connected to Smith or the woman. The fire department said Smith knew that there were children inside and that the fires were thought to have been set "in locations to prevent the occupants from readily escaping the flames."No injuries were reported.Fort Worth arson investigators and Arlington SWAT arrested Smith about 3:45 a.m. Sunday in the 6700 block of Switchgrass Road in Arlington.Officials did not provide additional details about the disturbance or Smith's relationship with the woman. Anyone with information about the incident may call Fort Worth Fire Department's arson investigators 817-392-6850.  Continue reading...

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