27/09/2023
27/09/2023

NEW YORK, Sept 27, (Agencies): A man in Alaska allegedly ignited a fire in his apartment after a neighbor refused to give him a cigarette, causing the blaze to quickly spread throughout the building, according to federal prosecutors. On October 30, residents, including a tenant carrying a child and a woman in a wheelchair, desperately fled the burning structure in Anchorage. This disturbing incident, as disclosed in a news release by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Alaska on September 25, has left several people without homes.
As of September 25, details about Bates' legal representation were not available. Prosecutors claim that following the cigarette dispute with his neighbor, Bates intentionally started three fires inside his apartment unit and then fled the building. The fire escalated rapidly, resulting in Bates' arrest on the same day.
According to reports by KTUU, officers spotted Bates walking along the road with packed bags shortly after the fires were set. Bates reportedly admitted to his actions, telling the police, "I did it, take me to jail."
The devastating fire engulfed a 12-unit apartment building, leaving numerous residents displaced in its wake. Priscilla Dipola, one affected resident, expressed her anguish, stating, "It's devastating. It's not just my home that was destroyed, it's everybody who was in there, all my neighbors, everybody's displaced," as reported by the Anchorage Daily News.
At a state court hearing on November 2, Bates faced charges, including arson, and was described as "argumentative," according to the Anchorage Daily News. A judge noted that several lives could have been lost due to the fire, which completely destroyed at least five apartment units.
Given that Bates is detained at the Anchorage Correctional Center, a federal judge granted the government's request to have him appear in federal court on September 22, as indicated by court records. However, a date for his initial court appearance was not listed as of September 25.
If Bates is convicted, he could face a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison, as stated by prosecutors.