Neighbor Found Guilty Of Arson In 2010 Oak Park Explosion

STOCKTON (CBS13) - The man accused of starting a Sacramento house fire that hurt four firefighters in 2010 was found guilty of arson on Thursday.

Robert Durst, 46, was charged with arson and five other felony counts in connection with the break-in and explosion July 5, 2010, and the jury convicted him on all counts.

Police and prosecutors say he rigged his next-door neighbor's Oak Park house at 3820 25th Ave. to explode in retaliation for not being paid enough after he did work for the home's owner just before Christmas 2009.

Investigators say Durst took a birthday candle from his home to his neighbor's, lit the candle and then turned on a gas valve and left.

The firefighters were responding to the gas leak when the house exploded. All were treated at UC Davis Medical Center and later released. The house was totaled.

Durst, who appeared to be holding a Bible as he entered the courtroom Thursday to hear his fate, shook his head as the guilty verdict was read.

He confessed to police after his arrest that he was "trying to do damage" to the home but later told CBS13 in a jailhouse interview that his confession was coerced.

Durst reacted angrily after the verdict was read while his wife and three daughters burst into tears and then rushed out of the courtroom without commenting.

Durst faces more than 20 years in prison. Sentencing was scheduled for May 24.