A 38-year-old Fountain Valley man has been charged with arson and burglary after he allegedly set off an explosion in his motel room with a canister of gasoline.
Thanh Van Quang faces at least 31 years in state prison because of 1998 convictions for voluntary manslaughter, robbery and assault with a firearm, prosecutors said.
Last Friday, Quang allegedly started an argument with the manager of the Pueblo Motel in Santa Ana over Quang inviting guests to his room, according to a press release from the district attorney's office. About an hour later, around 3:30 p.m., Quang walked to a nearby gas station, bought a gasoline canister and filled it with a gallon of gasoline, prosecutors said.
Around 4 p.m., he allegedly used the canister to create an explosion in his motel room. The ensuing fire damaged that room and several others, prosecutors said. Quang was also captured on surveillance removing several items from his room before the explosion, according to the press release.
Quang is being held on $1 million bail. During a Tuesday court appearance, his arraignment was scheduled for Dec. 21.
