GREAT FALLS, Mont. --- A Great Falls man charged with setting a house fire over the weekend told police he was trying to end a curse he said his mother placed on him when he was 5 years old.

Court records say 31-year-old Timothy Spencer acknowledged setting the house on fire while his mother, stepfather, brother and niece slept early Sunday. Prosecutors allege he threw a lighted gas can through the window and police say he acknowledged throwing it back into the house after his brother threw it out. All four escaped the house safely.

Police say Spencer was arrested near the house while watching the fire. He made an initial court appearance Tuesday on four counts of attempted deliberate homicide and arson. His bail was set at $100,000.

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