A fire in the Alfalfa area destroyed a home on Tuesday, March 19, 2024. 

BEND — A Bend man who called 911 and said he set his own house on fire was arrested Tuesday after he tried to block authorities from putting out the blaze, according to the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office.

David Sheridan, 45, is facing charges of arson, reckless burning, obstruction and criminal mischief, a Wednesday news release from Sgt. Chris Barringer said.

Deputies responded to the reported fire on Alfalfa Market Road at around 5:33 p.m. Tuesday. As authorities headed to the scene, a man — whom they later identified as Sheridan — called 911 and reported that he set his house on fire, Barringer said.

Deputies arrived and found an overturned Toyota Tacoma sitting on its side, blocking the property, which sat at the end of a long driveway with fences on both sides.

Deputies then saw Sheridan driving a tractor up to the overturned pickup, “further impeding access,” Barringer said. Sheridan climbed on top of the tractor and waved to the deputies, who called to him through a loudspeaker.

Sheridan refused to approach the deputies, Barringer said. Meanwhile, the property was “fully engulfed” in flames.

Alfalfa firefighters had arrived but couldn’t get to the blaze because Sheridan was blocking the driveway, Barringer said. Authorities didn’t know if anyone else was on the property and were concerned that the fire could spread to other properties.

Deputies decided to approach Sheridan, who was arrested and booked in the Deschutes County jail.

“No one else was located on the property,” Barringer said.