Man trying to burn spider accused of sparking Utah fire

A Utah wildfire that erupted amid summer heat and relatively dry conditions may have been started by a man trying to burn a spider with a lighter, authorities

A Utah wildfire that erupted amid summer heat and relatively dry conditions may have been started by a man trying to burn a spider with a lighter, authorities said.

The Springville Fire started about 5 p.m. Monday and consumed 60 acres of federal land east of Springville, part of the Provo metropolitan area, before state fire officials declared Tuesday that it was 90 percent contained.

On Tuesday, the Utah County Sheriff's Office said it arrested Cory Allan Martin, 26, of nearby Draper, on suspicion of starring the fire, possessing marijuana and possessing drug paraphernalia.

Firefighters battle a wildfire from the ground as a helicopter drops water above them in Springville, Utah, on Monday.Kristin Murphy / The Deseret News via APSheriff's officials said firefighters encountered the man on a mountain slope. He told them he started the blaze, and they walked him to deputies, they said.

"Cory stated he found a spider on the mountain and was attempting to burn the spider with a lighter," according to a sheriff's affidavit filed to support the arrest.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/man-trying-burn-spider-accused-sparking-utah-fire-rcna41248

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