A man accused of setting fire to a dumpster at the Texarkana, Ark., apartment complex where he lives has lost his job as a probation officer for Bowie County, Texas, according to a county official.
Brandon Wright, 30, was arrested Wednesday as the result of a surveillance operation initiated by Texarkana, Ark., Fire Marshal Stephen Johnson. Johnson allegedly watched Wright start the fire and arrested him, according to a press release.
“Dumpster fires are some of the more dangerous types of fires encountered by firefighters,” Johnson said in the press release. “This is due to the nature of the items disposed of in a dumpster. Due to this, firefighters tasked with extinguishing the dumpster fire are at a high risk of serious physical harm.”
The damage to the burned-out dumpster at the Links Apartments is estimated to be at least $500 as it will require a new paint job and new lids. That amount makes the arson charge against Wright a felony punishable by up to six years in prison and a fine up to $10,000.
Wright has been released from the Miller County jail on a $1,500 bond. He is scheduled to appear in Miller County Circuit Court later this month.
