Independence, Missouri – A man accused of standing outside a burning home and laughing as four people were trapped inside has been arrested and charged with arson, according to police and fire officials. The alarming incident unfolded on the morning of November 20, sparking a swift response from firefighters and an intense investigation led by detectives.
The Independence Fire Department confirmed in a public update that crews responded to a house fire with multiple occupants inside. While no one was injured, witnesses described a disturbing scene outside the residence — a man allegedly observing the flames with amusement.
What Firefighters and Police Found at the Scene
Fire crews arrived to find smoke conditions but no major interior destruction, allowing the four residents inside to escape unharmed. While first responders worked, officers received a crucial tip from a bystander who reported seeing a man “watching the fire and laughing.”
The witness described the individual in detail, leading police to locate 35-year-old Tylor A. Burghoff about two blocks from the home. Officers reportedly detained him without incident…