66-year-old man charged with using homemade explosive device to set multiple grass fires

Arson investigators say 66 year-old Frank Andrew Howell intentionally set at least two grass fires.

On the morning of Sunday, August 6, a report came in of a ‘lifted’ white Chevy truck with chrome wheels along FM 1516 near a grass fire in Converse. The witness identified the driver as Frank Andrew Howell. The witness says the truck “peeled out” from the location as fire began to spread.

Investigators determined an improvised incendiary device was used to start the fire. A glass liquor bottle with a white cloth with a herring-bone pattern inserted into the bottle opening and neck used as a wick was found at the fire origin.

When an arson investigator contacted the property owner, he also said the truck belongs to his brother, Frank Andrew Howell. The brother said Howell is not allowed on the property due to an assault on an employee. The brother also told the investigator the Howell lives in the truck and is known to have psychiatric issues.

Read more: NBC News San Antonio