Man tells police he set fire because of Satan

Convinced that he was sharing a motel room with Satan, a man set his blankets ablaze in Lynnwood on Friday, according to what he told police.

The man, 52, of Redmond, had been staying at the Days Inn on 196th Street SW for about a month, according to a police affidavit filed in Snohomish County Superior Court.

Fire crews were called about 8:30 a.m. Friday when smoke began pouring out of the second floor room where the man was staying.

The fire was contained to one room because of fire sprinklers, officials said. About six rooms were damaged in all, as well as guests' personal property.

The man told police that he set the room on fire because Satan was in there, according to the affidavit. He reportedly said he wanted to protect "the good people" by setting the fire.

The investigation showed that flames began in the room in at least four different places, including the blankets.

Hotel officials told police the man had repeatedly called hotel employees the "anti-Christ" and "spawns of Satan."

Hotel management had asked the man to move out the day of the fire.

The man was being held Monday at Snohomish County Jail for investigation of first-degree arson. Police who searched his room after the fire found two bottles of lighter fluid, records show.

The case remains under investigation by Lynnwood police. No injuries were reported.

via HeraldNet.com - Local news: Man tells police he set fire because of Satan.