Chandler police, family look for arsonist who set home on fire
CHANDLER, AZ (AZFamily) — Chandler police are searching for an arsonist accused of setting fire to a home while the family living there was inside. Detectives and the family say the suspect is someone the family’s known for 25 years.
The family said moments before the fire, they saw the suspect on the property and according to them, this was not the first time that same man had tried to burn this house down. “I don’t have my wallet. I had my underwear and one sock,” said homeowner Josh Steele.
Despite losing their home of six years, the Steele family is counting their blessings. “We were all sleeping in the house. That’s three of my four daughters, my son-in-law,” Steele explained. “We’re not just alive. We’re like, uninjured. I mean, my voice is scratchy from all the smoke, but this is a win.”
Sunday, within a few minutes, Steele says his home went up in flames. “The fire was started with accelerant in the back patio,” he explained.
Chandler police haven’t confirmed who they’re looking for, but the family says it’s someone who’s been close to them for years. “Twenty-five years,” answered Steele, when asked about how long he’s known the suspect. “He worked for my father-in-law for 20 years. He’s a pretty capable guy. He had some mental health issues, which is why we had to let him go several years ago,” Steele continued.
Arizona’s Family isn’t naming him because he hasn’t been charged, but Steele said the relationship ended after the suspect tried to set fire to the same home a year prior. “He has an order of protection. He has a convicted arson attempt on this property last year,” Steele explained.
Court records indicate he was charged with arson in 2024 and sentenced, but Steele hopes it’s just a matter of time before he’s back behind bars.
“It’s silly to try to figure out where his mind is at,” Steele explained. “It was a crime scene. There’s (sic) six witnesses. It’s very obvious what happened. I mean it’s a pretty solid case all the way around.”
A GoFundMe has been set up to help the family. You can donate here.
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