A Clinton man has been charged with felony arson after allegedly setting a house on fire.
The suspect later told authorities he started the fire because he believed the house was haunted.
According to a probable cause affidavit, 37-year-old Tavar Lamont Davis allegedly ignited the blaze at a home in the 300 block of S. 16th Street on March 13.
Davis faces a felony charge of first-degree arson after reportedly admitting to investigators that he set the fire. The Clinton Fire Department extinguished the flames that day, but by the next morning, the home was fully engulfed again—believed to have been reignited by a lingering ember.
According to the affidavit, Davis told investigators he believed the house was haunted and claimed he had witnessed strange occurrences inside. He stated that the house was “hurting him” but acknowledged that “houses can’t talk to people.”
When asked whether setting the fire was right or wrong, Davis allegedly responded, “It is wrong unless you have a good reason.” He admitted he knew it was illegal but insisted he had justification.
Seven people, including four young children, were believed to have lived in the rental property.
Authorities were first alerted to the fire at 1:34 p.m. on March 13. While en route, dispatchers reported that a man was seen leaving the area. Officers later detained Davis nearby and took him to the Clinton Police Department, where he allegedly smelled strongly of fuel.
Investigators obtained a search warrant and examined the scene, collecting samples from the kitchen floor for analysis by the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation.
The following morning, at approximately 6:35 a.m., firefighters responded to a second fire at the home, which they were able to contain quickly.
