 A Bemidji man has been sentenced to four years and nine months in prison for intentionally setting a home on fire. 20-year-old Damian Patrick Joseph Smith pleaded guilty to first-degree arson in March for starting a fire at a house located just north of Bemidji. It happened on January 1st of this year. The couple who owns the home told police that Smith was an acquaintance of their grandson and arrived late on January 1st looking for a place to stay for that night and they agreed to allow him in temporarily. According to the criminal complaint in the case, Smith told investigators that he intentionally started the curtains in the house on fire and knew that the house would burn down if the fire was not extinguished. Smith told deputies he started the fire because of a comment made by one of the homeowners. If you enjoyed this segment of Lakeland News, please consider making a tax-deductible contribution to Lakeland PBS.