Man Charged With Intentionally Setting Fire To His Own House

James Maxey has been charged with first-degree arson after allegedly setting fire to his own home earlier this month on East First Street in Chandler.

According to court documents, the person who reported the crime to police said that Maxey also threatened to shoot any fireman or officer who responded to the scene.

Chandler’s police chief was the first to arrive and said there was an alarming amount of smoke.

When officers arrived, they said Maxey had a "semi-automatic pistol" he was waving around, but he did not point it at officers.

Investigators were able to arrest Maxey. They said he smelled like alcohol and later found a bottle of Fireball in his truck that was two-thirds empty.

The Lincoln County District Attorney said the man was arrested without incident because officers were able to deescalate the situation.

“They responded to a domestic where arson was involved,” Lincoln County District Attorney Allan Grubb said. “They (Chandler police) were the difference between potentially life and death for a family.”

News 9 attempted to get Maxey's side of the story but were asked to leave.

Bob Mills SkyNews 9 was able to get images of the home from the air.

While the investigation is ongoing, deputies said the state fire marshal’s office found four origin points from the fire. 

“The multiple factors with the fire, the firearm, it was just a bad situation,” Grubb said. “I am just glad that law enforcement was able to be that thin blue line that day that kept that family safe.”

Investigators said no one was injured during the fire.

A family member told News 9 that no one else was at the home at the time of the fire besides Maxey.