Bradenton man arrested on arson charge

By ROBERT NAPPER - rnapper@bradenton.com

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MANATEE — A Bradenton man has been arrested on an a State Fire Marshal’s warrant after investigators determined he purposely set a mattress on fire in a Bradenton home.

Fire Marshal’s investigators have charged Barry Joseph Butkas, 57, with arson stemming from a Feb. 7 house fire, in the 3300 block of 31st Street West.

Butkas had been drinking heavily before going into a bedroom in the home and setting a mattress on fire, his roommate told investigators. Investigators determined that Butkas had initially failed to light the mattress on fire during several attempts, but eventually succeeding in lighting it on fire.

Manatee County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested Butkas on the state warrant Wednesday, and he was being held in the Manatee County jail on $50,000 bond.

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