Teen charged with arson bragged about fires on Instagram, documents say

Paul Allen admitted to lighting structure on fire with Axe spray, authorites say

Paul Lester Allen

HOUSTON – Authorities say a Cypress High School student is charged with arson after he admitted to lighting a vacant house in northeast Harris County on fire with Axe body spray and then bragged about it in a video on Instagram.

Court documents say a female classmate recognized two of her schoolmates in the video posted on the social media platform and then called authorities.

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The Harris County Fire Marshal's Office investigated the accounts she said were involved, and eventually questioned Paul Lester Allen, 18. Authorities say he made a written statement in which he admitted to lighting the building on fire using the spray from an aerosol Axe body spray can and a lighter.

Records indicate that Allen claimed he wanted to show his friend Robert how the spray burned. 

The female classmate also gave investigators Robert's name, but so far, only Allen has been charged.

Authorities believe Allen started a fire on March 24, and then went back and set another fire on April 4.

Allen remains at large. His bail is set at $10,000.