ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times

DATE: Tuesday, February 18, 1997             TAG: 9702180097
SECTION: VIRGINIA                 PAGE: C-4  EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: MATT CHITTUM

MAN HELD IN TORCHING OF HOME

A Botetourt man has been arrested and charged with arson in the burning of his own home Sunday night.

Curtis Lee Tucker, 49, of Laymantown Road in the Rainbow Forest section of the county is in the Botetourt County jail, Sheriff Reed Kelly said. He is expected to be moved to a hospital for a mental evaluation, Kelly said.

Several fire companies were dispatched to Tucker's home about 10 p.m. Sunday. Cpl. Nelson Tolley, fire investigator for the sheriff's office, said small fires were set in a bedroom, the living room and several other areas.

Kelly said the fire apparently was the culmination of a domestic dispute. Tucker's wife was home at the time of the fire, but was not injured.

Tucker was treated for smoke inhalation at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital before he was arrested.

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