NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Police have arrested a man accused of igniting three fires in a downtown Nashville parking garage last month.

According to an arrest report, fire investigators were sent to the 900 block of Broadway on June 14 to respond to a fire. When crews arrived, they reportedly determined that three different fires were intentionally set in the attached garage of the Holiday Inn Express.

Officials said video surveillance footage showed a man walking in the attached garage and setting the fires. In addition, a valet worker provided cellphone video to authorities, which showed a man come up to workers and apologize for setting the fires.

On June 21, a week after the parking garage fires, police arrested a man for setting a dumpster on fire. Investigators reportedly observed a booking photo of the suspect—identified as 68-year-old Carl Blahnik—and compared it to the cellphone video provided by the valet worker, determining it appeared to be the same person.

During an interview at the Davidson County Sheriff's Office, Blahnik allegedly identified himself as the man in the video and apologized for setting the fires.

Police added he did not admit to setting all three fires, but he did admit to setting at least one by lighting rolls of carpet in the parking garage, which matched evidence at the scene.

Investigators said the parking garage is connected to a hotel, which had several individuals inside when the fires were set.

Blahnik was charged with aggravated arson and two counts of arson/reckless burning. Booking records show he is being held in Metro Jail on a $95,000 bond.

News Source : https://www.wkrn.com/news/local-news/nashville/man-accused-of-setting-3-fires-in-downtown-nashville-parking-garage/