A Vancouver man is accused of setting his mother’s house on fire when she refused to buy him cigarettes.
The fire set off smoke detectors in the home and burned a 4-by-4-foot section of carpet and a towel inside a bedroom.
Richard K. Cameron, 47, appeared in Clark County Superior Court on Wednesday on suspicion of first-degree arson domestic violence, reckless endangerment domestic violence and third-degree malicious mischief.
Judge Gregory Gonzales held him in lieu of $75,000 based on the nature of the crime and Cameron’s criminal history.
During the court hearing, Cameron cursed and refused to sign a court order prohibiting him from having contact with his mother.
The judge appointed Vancouver attorney Clark Fridley to defend Cameron. He’s scheduled to be arraigned on the charges Oct. 29.
According to court documents, Cameron demanded that his mother go to the store and buy him a pack of cigarettes.
“When she refused, he became angered, tipping over a file cabinet, which was in the kitchen area, and a shelving unit, which was in the garage,” wrote Clark County sheriff’s Deputy Craig Marler in a court affidavit.
He then went to his room and emerged moments later, stating that he had set the house on fire, Marler wrote.
Cameron’s mother, Gloria Cameron, reported that her son has mental health problems and lives with her. Deputy Prosecutor Anna Klein said he has an extensive criminal history, including assaults, malicious mischief, harassment, disorderly conduct, trespassing, driving under the influence and bail jumping.
