Montana Man Tries to Burn Down His Parent’s Home

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - On September 22, 2026, at approximately 1:37 PM, a Missoula County Sheriff’s Office Deputy was dispatched to a report of an arson that had just been committed at a home on Whitetail Ridge Road in Huson. The reporting party, John Doe, told dispatch he believed his son, 59-year-old Brent Sicklesteel, had just started a fire in their three-story home and left on foot. Doe told dispatch Brent had locked himself in his room all day, and he had no idea where he may have left to.  

The deputy arrived on scene roughly thirty minutes after being dispatched. The Frenchtown Fire Department was on scene, and the structure fire had been extinguished. The fire appeared to have been started in Brent’s room, which was in the basement. 

The deputy spoke with Doe and his wife, Jane Doe. They said Brent recently secluded himself in his room located in the basement. Brent did not see or speak with his parents for the last two days. They were unaware of the activities Brent engaged in while he was in his room. 

Smoke and Flames: The Homeowner’s Alarm

At around 1:00 PM that day, they were sitting on the main level of the home. John Doe smelled the strong odor of smoke coming from inside the house. Then he asked his wife if she was cooking anything, and she replied, “No.” Then he saw smoke billowing from downstairs.  

He walked downstairs and could see the fire coming from Brent’s room. He had to forcefully push the door open due to the active smoke and flames coming from Brent’s room, which caused the door to make a tight seal. He was unable to find Brent and believed he had left on foot because all of their vehicles were still there.  

They said they believed their house would have burned down to the ground if they did not smell the odor of smoke or notice the flames when they did. They also indicated that they were unsure if they would still be alive if they did not notice the fire.

READ MORE: Missoula News - Crime Reports

Evidence of Arson: Investigating the Scene

During the investigation, it was discovered that there were several canisters of potential aerosols, canisters of flammable materials, and a torch. The Frenchtown Fire Department had removed a large area rug that was extremely burnt and charred because of the fire.  

Inside the room, the deputy noticed that the ground was burnt near Brent’s kitchen and bedroom door. The entire door appeared to be burnt, and the burnt area spread toward the adjacent ground of the basement. A swab of an unknown fluid substance, a yellow Bernzomatic canister (large yellow torch), and an opened canister of Mineral Spirits solvent were seized during the search of the room.  

While the investigation was taking place, another deputy located Brent walking on Six Mile Road near the intersection of Courser Lane in Huson. Brent was arrested at that time. Brent is currently being charged with felony arson and felony criminal endangerment. His bond was set at $25,000. 

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