Fiberglass business employee sentenced for negligent arson

BILLINGS (AP) — A Laurel man has been given a six-year deferred sentence for negligent arson for a February 2015 fire that caused around $6 million in damage to a business that manufactured fiberglass tanks for use in the oil fields.

Kristopher Michael Harasymczuk, 31, also was sentenced Monday to complete 30 days of work for the Yellowstone County sheriff’s labor detail and pay $100 a month to Fiberglass Solutions during each month of his deferred sentence. The total restitution will be just more than $7,000.

Court records say the fire began when Harasymczuk flicked a lighter at a co-worker, who was washing his hands with acetone. The fire quickly spread throughout the building.

Company president Robert Harris has said employees were not allowed to have lighters in the building.