JAMESTOWN, N.D. (KFGO) – A Jamestown man who was seriously injured after an explosion allegedly caused his garage and house to catch on fire is now facing arson charges.

Multiple people called 911 around 1:30 a.m. September 12 to report an explosion. Fire crews responded to 545 1st St. W in Jamestown, and found the garage fully engulfed in flames, and the fire was rapidly spreading to the house.  55-year-old John Quinlan was flown to a Minneapolis hospital with life-threatening injuries.

A report from the North Dakota Department of Criminal Apprehension says Quinlan later told police he believed he caused the fire when he lit a cigarette. Investigators from the ATF, BCI, and a state fire marshal investigated, and found several empty gas cans inside the home. Investigators also found gasoline-soaked boxes in the basement, and gasoline-soaked shingles in the garage. A BCI agent noted the entire home smelled of gasoline.

Neighbors and family told investigators Quinlan had made comments about burning his house down several times before the fire.

Quinlan was charged Friday, February 14th with three counts of endangering by fire or explosion and one count of failing to report a fire.