Man About to be Evicted Sets Napa Apartment on Fire

A Napa man apparently started a fire in his apartment this morning as he was about to be evicted, a Napa County Sheriff's captain said.

Sgt. Brett Brobst and a sheriff's deputy went to the man's apartment at 1415 Fourth Street to serve eviction papers around 9:15 a.m., Capt. Tracey Stuart said.

The deputies received no response when they knocked on the door and were about to force it open when they smelled an accelerant and saw smoke, Stuart said.

The resident apparently also scattered shotgun shells on the floor of the apartment, Stuart said.

Firefighters got into the apartment through a patio door, Stuart said. The apartment resident, who was to vacate the apartment Tuesday, reportedly suffered second- and third-degree burns.

The burn victim's name was not immediately available.