Missoula Renter Sets a Mobile Home on Fire Before His Eviction

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - On December 15, 2023, Missoula County Sheriff’s Office Deputies were called to a structure fire on Bible Lane. Deputies noted the property had three mobile homes on it and the home in the center of the circular driveway had fire damage.  

A deputy spoke with a Frenchtown Fire Department Lieutenant who believed the fire was started intentionally. He said there was no electricity to the mobile home and the landlord had begun the process of evicting the tenant, 30-year-old Troy Parker. 

The landlord stated she had spoken with Parker approximately 20 minutes before law enforcement arrived. She said she and Parker argued because his dog had attacked her dog and had bit her the other day. 

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Deputies eventually located Parker and spoke with him. When asked what had happened at the mobile home, Parker stated, “I had a heart attack, they mocked me, they wouldn’t help me, and I accidentally burnt the bed with the torch.” When confirming that he had burned the bed with a torch, Parker stated, “I was trying to get their attention.” 

After the incident with the dogs, Parker stated he went to his bedroom, laid on the bed, pulled out a cigarette, and lit it with the torch. Parker said he didn’t know the torch stayed lit, as he relaxed his hand and set it on the bed. Parker said about 10 minutes passed before he realized the torch lit the bed on fire and it was too late for him to put it out.  

Parker said he tried to kick the fire out, but it started to spread and took off up the house wall, so he ran out the front door with his dog. Parker said he knows how fast trailers burn so he just wanted to get out of the house fast. 

According to court documents, Parker denied intentionally burning the house down. Parker denied knowing he was being evicted and thought he had worked that out with the landlord, stating he was working on moving out since he still owed the landlord money.  

Parker went on to say that in the past the landlord had threatened to shoot his dog and he responded by stating he would shoot her dog and burn the house down, but he said he had not made such a threat this evening. 

Parker was placed under arrest and was transported to the Missoula County Detention Facility. He is currently being charged with felony arson. 

The information in this article was obtained from sources that are publicly viewable.