Man arrested in attempted arson of brother’s home in Petaluma

A 30-year-old man suspected of trying to burn down the Petaluma home of his estranged family was in custody Tuesday at the Sonoma County Jail, Petaluma police officials said.

Police suspect Christopher Pilson, 30, somehow got into the Colwood Avenue home, poured gasoline around the house and unhooked the natural gas line to the stove, Police Lt. Dan Fish said.

His brother arrived home at about 8:40 p.m. Monday, smelled gas and called 911, Fish said.

Petaluma Fire Battalion Chief Jeff Schach said that firefighters smelled the strong gaseous odor when they arrived and immediately turned the gas off. They put a fan at the front door to air out the home and suited up in protective gear to enter.

After five to 10 minutes, firefighters entered using a gas monitor that reads oxygen levels, Schach said.

They found a one-gallon gas can on its side on the hardwood floor of a bedroom. They then noticed a man was wrapped in a blanket in the bedroom, Schach said.

Once he was brought outside, Pilson was restrained on a gurney because he was uncooperative and needed to be evaluated at a hospital before being taken to the jail, Fish said. Pilson told officers the incident was not a suicide attempt, Fish said.

“If something had ignited (the natural gas), it definitely would have destroyed the house and potentially caused damage to neighboring homes,” Fish said.

PG&E crews reconnected the gas at the home after a safety evaluation.

After being taken to Petaluma Valley Hospital, Pilson was booked into the Sonoma County Jail where remained Tuesday in lieu of $50,000 bail on suspicion of burglary and attempted arson. He was scheduled to appear in court Wednesday.

You can reach Staff Writer Julie Johnson at 521-5220 or julie.johnson@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @jjpressdem.