Man arrested after starting fire, assaulting residents who tried to stop him, charges say

DRAPER, Utah (ABC4) — A man has been charged with assault and trespassing after he started a fire at a house and then fought with residents when they chased after him.

Spencer Daniel Strong, 46, is charged with aggravated assault, a third-degree felony; criminal trespassing, a Class B misdemeanor; and reckless burning, a Class B misdemeanor.

According to documents, on July 8, 2025, an officer with the Draper Police Department was dispatched to a home on Lone Peak Parkway. The caller was reporting a fire started by a man whom he and his friends were restraining.

When the officer arrived, he observed Strong sitting on the grass. Firefighters had responded and extinguished the fire that was started at the residence.

One of the residents spoke with police and told them that he noticed a fire outside. He and others rushed to try and extinguish the fire when they heard someone yelling in the street. The resident saw Strong on the other side of the road and yelled at him. Strong then fled, and the resident and his brother began pursuing him.

Another resident joined the chase, and when they caught up to Strong, he allegedly swung a PVC pipe at the three. One of the men was hit with the pipe on the hand and sustained a small laceration and some swelling.

Strong spoke with police and allegedly admitted to starting the fire with a lighter he had in his pocket. He also stated that he had hit somebody and was aware that it had caused an injury.

A fence at the residence was reportedly damaged by the fire. The police officer contacted the property owner, who estimated the damages would cost roughly $500 to repair, documents say.

Strong was arrested and booked into the Salt Lake County Jail, where he is currently being held on bail.