DUBUQUE, Iowa — A 53-year-old man with no permanent address faces charges of first-degree arson and public intoxication after police say he intentionally started fires at two residential properties where he had been working.

According to a criminal complaint, Javier Reyes-Ramos allegedly ignited a fire in the basement of a home on Kaufmann Avenue while intoxicated. He then walked to a second location on Pinard Street and started another fire at a home connected to his work.

Reyes-Ramos told officers he was angry with his boss. He explained that he set his own clothes on fire as a demonstration, stating that if he was willing to burn his personal items, he would also set fire to his boss’s property.

He admitted to being drunk and said that was the reason he was not driving. A preliminary breath test registered a blood-alcohol content of 0.17 percent.

Police arrested Reyes-Ramos at approximately 3:27 a.m. Monday in the 100 block of East 24th Street.

Separately, Dubuque fire officials confirmed that a fire at a vacant two-story home on Pinard Street on Labor Day (Monday) was intentionally set. Firefighters responded around 11:19 a.m., arrived minutes later to find an active structure fire, and had water on the flames by 11:28 a.m. Twenty-five firefighters responded. No injuries were reported. Estimated property loss was approximately $126,700. The Dubuque Police Department, Alliant Energy, and Black Hills Energy assisted at the scene.

Reyes-Ramos is charged with arson and public intoxication in connection with the incidents. Court proceedings are pending.

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