An Arizona man, Dahntay Dunbar, 21, from Flagstaff, was sentenced to nearly two years in prison for setting fire to a cabin in the Grand Canyon National Park where his ex-girlfriend was staying. The incident occurred in May when Dunbar broke into the locked cabin and ignited a fire inside, as reported by the Department of Justice.
According to federal prosecutors, Dunbar poured clear liquor on a bed and set fire to a shirt belonging to his former girlfriend. Fortunately, she was not present in the cabin at the time of the incident. The fire caused significant damage to the cabin, including scorching, burn damage, and smoke damage to the walls, ceiling, and other parts of the structure.
A bystander noticed the blaze and managed to extinguish most of the flames before firefighters arrived at the scene. The cabin, owned by Xanterra, a resort company, sustained over $40,000 in damages due to the fire.
Dunbar was apprehended by park rangers shortly after the incident and later pleaded guilty to arson of a dwelling on July 8. Court documents revealed that prior to the fire, Dunbar had a dispute with the woman and had punched through one of the windows.
This incident serves as a reminder of the serious consequences of destructive behavior and the importance of respecting the law and the property of others, especially in national parks and protected areas.
