Charge: Employee set fire to 7-Eleven after boss cut his hours

SALT LAKE CITY — A 7-Eleven employee was charged Thursday with setting fire to the roof of the Salt Lake convenience store after his boss cut back his hours.

Justin Carolan, 37, was an employee at the 7-Eleven at 705 E. Third Ave. He said he "felt depressed and decided to drink some beer" after his hours were cut on April 9, according to charges filed in 3rd District Court.

The next day, a Salt Lake fire investigator was dispatched to the convenience store to investigate a fire on the roof. A neighbor told police a man who matched Carolan's description climbed a tree behind the convenience store and got on the roof, the charges state. She then saw a "good size orange flame."

The fire investigator determined the blaze on the roof was intentionally set with an ignitable liquid. Carolan was charged with aggravated arson, a first-degree felony.

— Hunter Schwarz