Crime & Safety

'You're All Going to Burn,' Accused Arsonist Taunts

Police say Phillipsburg man tried to set mobile home fire with three people in it, including a 2-year-old girl.

Easton police say a Phillipsburg man tried to set a mobile home on fire Wednesday evening, with three people inside. 

William C. Hubbard, 46, is charged with arson, burglary, terroristic threats, reckless endangerment, criminal trespass, and harassment.

According to police, Hubbard showed up at the mobile home at 805 Canal St. late Wednesday night and tried to get in. When he couldn't, he began pouring gasoline onto the home, and talking to the three people inside -- a 27-year-old man, an 18-year-old man, and a 2-year-old girl. 

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"Do you smell that?" Hubbard allegedly said. "You're all going to burn."

Eventually, he was able to get in and grab the owner of the home, Drew Freeman, by the throat, police said.

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But officers were on their way, and Hubbard ran out the door and was detained, police said.

According to police, Hubbard smelled like gasoline, and investigators found a gas can near the home.

Hubbard was arraigned before District Judge Patricia Romig-Passaro in Bethlehem, and sent to Northampton County Prison in lieu of $150,000 bail.


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