Man Denies Setting Up BMW Fire, But Has History Of 28 Insurance Claims

A man has been charged with arson after fire officials say he set his car on fire back in April.

Emmanuel Gonnell, 42, was charged with arson, a second-degree felony, July 3 after Austin Fire Department investigators say he intentionally started a fire in his 2018 BMW M3 in a possible insurance fraud scheme, according to an arrest affidavit.

The Austin Fire Department responded to a vehicle fire in a parking lot at the intersection of 5th Street and Red River Street just after midnight April 6. Fire crews found smoke coming from the BMW parked in the lot. They forced the trunk open and extinguished the fire.

According to the affidavit, fire officials found several suspicious items in the trunk, including matches and paper stuffed inside the battery compartment, so fire investigators were called to assist in determining the case.

In addition to the paper and matches, fire investigators found a plastic water bottle filled with paint thinner and light bulbs hotwired to the battery and grounded to the frame.