Sean Demery was booked for investigation of second-degree arson, Tacoma police spokesperson Shelbie Boyd said. Court records say investigators determined the fire began in a pile of patio furniture and that video from the property showed a person setting it alight. Police records say Demery later admitted to starting the fire during questioning.

Firefighters were called to the home Tuesday morning after neighbors saw flames. The fire spread to the attic before crews brought it under control. No one was inside and no injuries were reported, though the home sustained significant smoke damage.

The property, known as The Sunset Estate, is rented for events and short-term stays. Neighbors have raised concerns about traffic and parking associated with the rental, but investigators’ records do not indicate those disputes were connected to the fire.

A nearby resident, Iaunia Taylor, said she called 911 after seeing smoke. “As soon as you walked out the front door, you could see all the smoke in the air,” she said.

Investigators said people in the area identified Demery from a photo and directed officers to where he could be found. Court records describe him as upset with the property’s owners and recount statements he made about “spiritual warfare.” Those statements are investigators’ account of the interview and do not establish a motive for the fire.

Demery was scheduled to appear in court Thursday afternoon. The booking is an allegation; the charge had not been adjudicated in the information available Wednesday.