A South Lake Tahoe resident was arrested late Thursday on aggravated arson and burglary charges.

Police officers say Eric Almdale, who lives in a trailer at 885 James Ave., admitted to starting the blaze on Oct. 4 at 11:18pm. Officers in a press release said, “(Almdale was) distraught over family matters and matters concerning the owner of the trailer.”

Geraldine McClure lives in the same unit. According to police, heavy smoke in the residence woke her up. Initially she did not know if her roommate, Almdale, was still inside. Police searched the trailer after the fire was out and no one else was there.

Not much later Almdale allegedly called 911 to turn himself in.

Almdale was being held on $1.05 million bail.

— Lake Tahoe News staff report