A man in West Virginia is facing arson charges after allegedly setting his house on fire because he was upset about a puppy’s mess. 32-year-old Randy Nethken reportedly told firefighters that the fire originated in the attic of his Mabie home. The West Virginia State Fire Marshal’s Office was alerted to the incident by email and upon arrival, they found burned drawers towards the back of the house. Investigators discovered multiple separate fires involving the drawers, indicating that they were started from different sources. Furthermore, three additional fires were found in the bathroom vanity, and three more just inside the attic entrance.
Upon questioning, Nethken confessed to setting three fires in the attic and admitted that he had started the bathroom fires because he was upset with the puppy’s accidents throughout the house. Interestingly, after setting the fires, Nethken attempted to solicit funds on a GoFundMe page to cover the damage caused, claiming they didn’t have much money. However, the page is no longer active.
Nethken has been taken into custody with a bond set at $20,000. Unfortunately, the incident highlights the extreme measures some individuals may resort to when overwhelmed by frustration. Let this be a reminder to seek healthier outlets for managing emotions, especially when dealing with pets or other sources of potential stress.
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