A man authorities thought might have died in a house fire in Ventura County is very much alive, but is now facing an arson charge.
On Friday, a Ventura County Sheriff’s deputy checking out a report of a home fire in Frazier Park found a house engulfed in flames.
The home had been owned by Ranier Hirschfelder, but deputies say it had been recently repossessed and re-sold.
After taking to family members and friends, investigators thought the 61 year old man died in the blaze. Instead, he was found safe over the weekend at a nearby home.
Detectives determined that Hirschfelder had not only set the fire, he watched the home burn from a nearby house.
