John Orr

John Orr (April 26, 1949) is a former fire captain turned arsonist. He was known for setting a series of arson fires that lasted from the mid 1980s to early 1990s. Orr originally wanted to start his career as a police officer for the Los Angeles Police Department, but failed the psychological test. So, he decided to pursue his career as a firefighter for the Glendale, California Fire Department.

On October 10, 1984, a fire broke out a crafts store in Pasadena, California killing four people including a two year old child. The fire was at first deemed accidental, but Orr stated that it was set on purpose.

In order to set the fires, Orr used an incendiary device by using a sheet of paper and wrapping the paper around matches and a cigarette in order to make his way out before the fire broke out.

On December 4, 1991, Orr was arrested on multiple counts of murder and arson. He was sentenced to life with no chance of parole although he maintains his innocence.