Man At Homeless Camp On Chestnut Street Charged With Trying To Set Fire To Another Man

  • Saturday, February 13, 2016
Richard Warren "Trey" Erwin
Richard Warren "Trey" Erwin

A man at a homeless camp on Chestnut Street has been charged with trying to set fire to another man at the camp.

Richard Warren "Trey" Erwin, 40, is charged with aggravated arson.

Police were called to the 2200 block of Chestnut at 12:40 a.m. Earlier, Michael Nye and Alisa Buckels had called for an ambulance. They were checked out at Erlanger Hospital for inhalation injuries.

They said they were sleeping in their tent when Ms. Buckels awoke to find the tent burning. While exiting, they said they saw Erwin pouring kerosene on their tent and trying to pour it on Nye. He then tried to light matches and throw them on Nye "to light him on fire."

Police said Nye had a strong smell of kerosene on his clothing.

Officers found Erwin walking from the scene. He denied setting anything on fire.

Police found that a fire had been set at two different locations at the camp. Next to what appeared to be a burnt cot was a yellow fuel can that had heat damage. There was also a tent next to the cot that had fire damage.

A lit kerosene heater was found inside Erwin's tent.

Erwin is being held on $250,000 bond.

He is due in General Sessions Court on Thursday.


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