Vancouver man accused of setting fire in central Vancouver duplex

A Vancouver man is accused of starting a fire Friday inside a central Vancouver duplex and hitting his father in the head with a torch as his father tried to extinguish the flames.

Eion W. Greene, 23, appeared Monday in Clark County Superior Court on suspicion of first-degree arson, second-degree domestic violence assault and third-degree assault. His bail was set at $75,000, and he is scheduled to be arraigned June 17, court records show. Jail booking records indicate he suffers from severe anxiety.

Vancouver police responded at 1:13 p.m. to assist the Vancouver Fire Department at 3100 E. 29th St. Officers spoke with Greene’s father, who appeared to have injuries to the top and back of his head, with blood dripping down his face. He told police his son hit him in the head with a torch and that his son started a fire in the duplex while he and his son’s girlfriend were inside, according to an affidavit of probable cause.

Firefighters said there was a fire in the living room, and crews removed burned items, including a mattress, a cardboard box and trash, court records state.

Greene’s father told officers his son set two sheets on fire and that when he pulled the sheets down to put out the fire, he was burned, according to the affidavit. As he was trying to extinguish the blaze, Greene hit him with the torch four to five times, he said. The man was treated by medical personnel but declined to be taken to a hospital, court records state.

The affidavit states the man also had a bruised right ear from a previous incident with Greene.

Greene came outside while police were on scene. According to the affidavit, Greene called the officers racial slurs and threatened to punch any officer who tried to grab him.

When police attempted to arrest him, Greene allegedly punched a corporal in the face, court records state. Officers then tackled Greene and took him into custody.