A Butler man is facing arson charges after he allegedly set his home on fire three times in less than 48 hours.

Matthew Straub, 24, admitted to police that he set all three fires at his 608 E. Jefferson St. home over the weekend, according to the criminal complaint against him.

But that string of fires is not the first time police have dealt with Straub.

City Police Capt. David Dalcamo said there have been a total of six small fires at Straub's home since November 2012.

When questioned, Straub admitted to starting five of them, Dalcamo said.

Dalcamo said Straub could face additional charges since he had insurance claims on two previous fires.

The first of the three most recent fires started at 11:19 p.m. Saturday, according to the criminal complaint filed against him.

Straub told police he was looking out his bedroom window and noticed his six foot high wooden fence was on fire.

The fire was out by the time the city police and fire departments arrived, but a scorch mark on the fence and a strong smell of gasoline were found by investigators.

Straub said he did not see anyone start the fire.

According to the criminal complaint, firefighters told him he did not need to worry about the fire since it was out, but Straub did not seem satisfied by that. He asked if he should pour water with dish soap on the fence, like he had been told to do in a past instance when the fence caught fire.

Less than two hours later police again responded to a report of a fire at Straub's home. When police arrived, they found Straub standing in his backyard watching a fire under the steps of his front porch.

When asked why he had not put out the flames, Straub told police “I wanted to watch the firemen do it. It is their job,” the complaint said.

Firefighters arrived and put out the small fire.

Straub told police he was inside his home and smelled smoke outside.

Straub's home has a six foot high fence around it and a gate that could only be unlocked from the inside.

The third fire was started about 4:09 a.m. Monday.

Police responded to a garbage bag on fire on the back porch of his home. Police were able to brush the bag off the porch before it could spread to the home.

Due to the suspicious nature of the three fires, police ask Straub to go to the police department for questioning.

When questioned, police said Straub admitted to setting all three fires. During a second interview, h admitted he started five of the six fires at his home, police said.

Straub faces three counts of arson and issuing false reports to police.

He is in Butler County Prison on $75,000 bail.

He has a preliminary hearing on Monday in front of District Judge Peter Shaffer. +