Man arrested for setting fires at Kroger, Walmart, Burger King in arson spree, police say

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WAVE) - A man has been arrested and charged with arson after police say he started fires in bathroom trash cans at three different stores in December.

James Huffines was arrested on Dec. 29, 2025 at the conclusion of a spree that, the arrest report alleges, saw him go to a Kroger, a Walmart and a Burger King and start a fire inside a bathroom trash can at each before leaving.

The buildings were all occupied and each building sustained minor damage.

According to the arrest report, Huffines is seen on surveillance video entering and exiting the bathroom at the Kroger at 6900 Bardstown Road around 8:20 a.m. Police say he started a fire in the trashcan there and employees were able to put the fire out safely, resulting in minor damage to the store.

A little over five hours later, police say Huffines did the same thing at the Walmart on Cedar Springs Boulevard, again being caught on video entering and exiting the bathroom. Just over 15 minutes after the Walmart incident, Huffines was allegedly seen on video receiving the bathroom code from an employee of the Burger King on Will Way before entering and exiting the bathroom. Again, another fire was started in the trashcan of the bathroom.

The police report noted that, at each location, a number of employees and customers were in the building, creating risk of death or serious injury.

Huffines is currently being held at the Shelby County Detention Center.