Arsonist Or Flea Killer?

A former Bayou La Batre City Councilman accused of trying to set his house on fire says he was just killing fleas.

While Downey Street was being evacuated because of a large controlled burn that got "out of control" on Tuesday, Bayou Police believe an arsonist tried to burn down a house.

Police Chief John Joyner says a charred tree, scorched grass and a burn mark on the house look like arson. "The fact that witnesses had seen an individual in that area and things just didn't add up."

Former Councilman Henry Barnes owns the house and admits that he started some fires. He says it wasn't about burning the house but getting rid of some fleas.

Tiffany Craig asked, "Why did you choose to do it last night? Barnes answered, "I don't know. It just at the time, you know the smoke. I said you're not really supposed to burn but I gotta get rid of these fleas. Some might argue that you were doing it for insurance money? Please, when they come down there and look, they would probably depreciate it so much, I would owe them."

Barnes hasn't been charged but police are still investigating the case.

The former politician says he wouldn't be surprised if he gets charged with arson. He says in his four years on the city council, he did make some enemies.