Two people have been arrested and charged with arson in connection to a fire that happened Saturday at 2123 Christian Avenue.

Matthew Manley, the property owner, and Wilson Scott II are charged with conspiracy and arson of an occupied dwelling. Both men are serving with the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Enterprise.

Firefighter Investigators say both men confessed to knowing about the fire. The men had met and agreed that Manly would pay Scott $2,000 to burn his house down. On Saturday, Manley went to Atlantic City, New Jersey and Scott poured approximately 10 gallons of gasoline througout the house.

Scott told investigators that when he reached the kitchen area, the gasoline vapors were ignited by pilot light on the gas hot water heater. He says he barely escaped with his life.

Firefighters were called to the house around 7:30 p.m. by a neighbor, Taneisha Moore. Moore said she heard an explosion, and then noticed the fire.

The force of the explosion knocked the home off the foundation, and the second story of the home was detached from the back wall.

The home is scheduled to be demolished at the expense of Manley's insurance company.

Manley and Scott are being held in the Chesapeake City Jail.

Submitted on 02/23/2006

Submitted by: Gordon
Reference: WAVY TV-10 2/23/06

Copyright © 2006 DarwinAwards.com

James said:
Neutral: Honorable Mention
You put a couple of sailors on shore, and look what happens! (Sorry, former Naval Officer speaking! :-) Anyway, this was a REALLY dumb way to collect insurance money, and given that ALL sailors recieve firefighting/fire prevention training (especially aboard carriers), these two mooks had NO excuse for not knowing that a pilot light would ignite the fumes of that much gasoline (my wife's car holds ten gallons of gas, that's a LOT of gas!). Stupid enough for me to keep as an HM. Thanks, Gordon!

Jorge said:
Neutral: Honorable Mention

Greg said:
Neutral: Honorable Mention
I agree with James. Good one. :-)

Charles said:
Definitely Toss: Repeat
Thank you for submitting this, but your other version of it made it into the slush pile first.

Jason said:
Definitely Keep: Honorable Mention
Alright I loved this one. Put two sailors on shore and they will find a way to mess up. This one just happened to be funnier than even some o the sea stories I've heard. (Former Navy Enlisted, here) This is a keeper!

The Darwin Awards Gift Shop

The Darwin Awards Condom Keep yourself out of the gene pool! A condom in a matchbook, useful for emergency contraception, bachelor parties, frat parties, and important rites of passage. LOADED inside and out with funny quotes and stories. Everyone loves this item! Friends don't let friends reproduce! $13 for Pack of 4