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Fingerprint on lighter fluid can at Universal City house fire leads to arson arrest, records show

David Flynn, 17, faces arson, burglary charges

Charles David Flynn, 17, was arrested on arson and burglary charges, Universal City Police say. (ksat)

SAN ANTONIO – A teenager was arrested in connection with two fires at an under-construction home in Universal City and the injury of a firefighter, records show.

Police said a fingerprint left on a Zippo lighter fluid can led to the arrest of Charles David Flynn, 17. He was arrested on Thursday and charged with one count of arson, one count of arson and bodily injury, and two counts of burglary of a building, records with the Bexar County Jail show.

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Firefighters were called to the home in the 200 block of Rustic Springs on March 11 and March 20.

An arrest warrant affidavit states that in the first fire, the interior doors were kicked in and kitchen appliances were damaged. It appeared that someone initially set fire to the carpet, police said.

There were also signs of forced entry in the second fire, police said. While firefighters responded to it, one firefighter sustained bodily injury and was treated at the scene.

Police found a 4-ounce Zippo lighter fluid can at the home and tested it for fingerprints, which were found to belong to Flynn, the affidavit states.

Investigators later interviewed Flynn, who told officers that he entered the home with another man, the affidavit states. He said that he refilled a Zippo lighter with the lighter fluid and while he tested the lighter, a fire ignited, the document states.

Police allege that Flynn and the other man co-conspired and intentionally set the fires. The second man has not been arrested.

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About the Author
Rebecca Salinas headshot

Rebecca Salinas is the Digital Executive Producer at KSAT 12 News. A San Antonio native, Rebecca is an award-winning journalist who joined KSAT in 2019.

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