Initials For Man Accused in Gail Gardens Fire

Initial appearance this afternoon for the man arrested in connection to the fire at Gail Gardens in downtown Casper early Saturday morning. 51 year old Wilbert Abeyta  was arrested the following day.

The Arson suspected fire  involved  ladder rescues and sent one person to the hospital.

Casper Fire EMS reports that the call came in at around 1 am of fire at the senior apartments at Gail Gardens, 300 West BC.

According to police reports,  apartment security footage revealed , fifty one-year-old, Wilbert Abeyt

a  carrying a small item in his left hand while entering the apartment's common area known as the library. Abeyta exited the library 30 seconds later  and approximately 4 minutes after that, the camera shows smoke coming from the door.

Firefighters from multiple  agencies responded after initial units found the building involved in fire with reports of people trapped inside.
Casper Fire EMS, spokesman Jason Parks, says during firefighting operations numerous ladder rescues were preformed bringing several occupants to safety.  The rest of the building was evacuated.
One patient was transported to Wyoming Medical Center with cardiac problems.

A temporary shelter was set up at City Center for those displaced during the operation.
Some went to the Parkway Plaza for the night.

Abeyta makes his initial court appearance this afternoon.