(AP) PHOENIX
A mistrial has been declared in the Phoenix trial of a man accused of setting a fire that led to the death of a firefighter.
The Maricopa County Superior Court said Wednesday the jury could not reach a verdict against 27-year Christopher Benitez and a mistrial was declared.

The former Army soldier was arrested in the 2001 death of Phoenix firefighter Bret Tarver who died while battling an arson fire at a west Phoenix supermarket.

Benitez was arrested on suspicion of murder and arson of an occupied structure.

He was accused of igniting cardboard boxes behind the Southwest Supermarket at 35th Avenue and McDowell Road, starting a fire that jumped to the store and spread through the attic as firefighters worked below.

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Related: NIOSH Report of 2001 Southwest Supermarket Fire

• http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/fire/reports/face200113.html