Louisiana Firefighter Set Fires, Then Helped Put Them Out

Most firefighters run toward danger when everyone else is trying to get away. It's part of the job, and it's something communities across Louisiana depend on every day.

But an unusual investigation in Louisiana has led to the arrest of a firefighter accused of doing something that is hard to wrap your head around...allegedly setting fires himself and then responding to those same fires with his fire department.

According to the Louisiana Office of State Fire Marshal, a Louisiana firefighter is accused of setting 22 fires dating back to August 2026.

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Louisiana Volunteer Firefighter Arrested in Connection With 22 Fires

Authorities identified the suspect as Bradley Antley, 41, of Mangham, Louisiana.

Investigators with the Louisiana Office of State Fire Marshal arrested Antley on November 9, 2026, following an investigation into a series of intentionally set fires throughout Richland Parish.

According to KLFY, the State Fire Marshal's Office says Antley was a volunteer firefighter with the Archibald-Alto Fire Protection District.

He now faces two types of arson charges -

One count of aggravated arson.
21 counts of simple arson.

That's a total of 22 arson-related charges connected to the investigation.

The allegations are pretty unusual because investigators say Antley allegedly set the fires and then responded to them alongside other members of his fire department.

The case started after the Richland Parish Sheriff's Office requested assistance from the State Fire Marshal's Office on November 5, 2026.

As they began looking into a tractor shed fire that happened on November 4. officials determined that the fire had been intentionally set.

That investigation eventually led authorities to identify Antley as a suspect.

As investigators dug deeper, they connected him to a much larger series of fires that had reportedly been happening throughout Richland Parish since August.

The State Fire Marshal's Office says the investigation ultimately involved 22 intentionally set fires.

Firefighter Allegedly Responded to Fires He Set

The charges allege Antley not only set the fires, but also responded to them with fellow members of the Archibald-Alto Fire Protection District.

In other words, the person accused of starting the fires was allegedly showing up as part of the crew sent to put them out.

As of the November 10 announcement from the Louisiana Office of State Fire Marshal, the investigation remains ongoing.

Antley faces one count of aggravated arson and 21 counts of simple arson. Authorities have not provided additional details about the extent of property damage or whether anyone was injured in the fires.

Anyone with information about these fires or other suspected arson activity can submit an anonymous tip through the Louisiana Office of State Fire Marshal's website by selecting the "Arson Fires" icon.