MAN TO BE ARRAIGNED FOR STARTING FIRE IN STANTON APARTMENT AND DISPLACING COMPLEX RESIDENTS

SANTA ANA, Calif. – January 25, 2015 – (RealEstateRama) — A man is scheduled to be arraigned today for starting a fire in a Stanton apartment causing residents of the complex to be displaced. Brandon Tyler Williams, 43, Stanton, is charged with one felony count of arson of an inhabited property. If convicted, Williams faces a maximum sentence of eight years in state prison. Williams is scheduled to be arraigned today, Jan. 22, 2016, in Department CJ-1, Central Jail, Santa Ana. The time is to be determined.

At approximately 4:00 a.m. on Jan. 20, 2016, Williams is accused of gathering plastic crates and newspapers from around the apartment complex and placing them against a wall in a central hallway of the building. Williams is accused of pouring gasoline on the assembled crates and newspapers and using a lighter to start the fire. Williams is accused of burning a portion of his legs when starting the fire.

Fire sprinkler systems in the complex were activated and firefighters from the Orange County Fire Authority and Anaheim Fire and Rescue responded to the scene. Several residents in the complex could not exit the building and were forced to remain on their balconies until firefighters could use ladders to evacuate the residents safely. Williams is accused of causing fire damage that displaced several residents. None of the residents suffered any injuries as a result of the fire.

Deputy District Attorney Jess Rodriguez of the Special Prosecutions Unit is prosecuting this case.