OROVILLE, Calif. — The 26-year-old accused of sparking the Thompson Fire in Oroville this summer pled not guilty in a Butte County courtroom Wednesday, Oct. 2.

Prosecutors say Spencer Anderson, an aspiring firefighter, threw a lit firework out of his car to test it out. That firework caused millions in resources and damage.

“Mentally I don’t think he’s on the same page we are,” said Oroville resident Phillip Papa, who was in the courtroom Wednesday. Papa lost multiple structures on his rural property. “To me, that’s all behind us and we’re moving on. We’re thinking positive things and not letting Mr. Anderson control our lives by what he’s done.”

Anderson’s attorney Larry Pilgrim says his client understands the gravity of the situation.

“Mr. Anderson presents to me very articulate, very lucid, he understands that he’s in a dire situation,” Pilgrim said.

He says he’s considering a change of venue, raising concerns about potential impartiality among Butte County jurors.

“It might be difficult to find 12 citizens in this town, in this area who haven’t been prejudice or biased by the media and have already made up their mind,” he said. “Obviously given the serious fires in this area, it’s a very major concern of our local residents, the society and the public so he feels the hatred of the community.”

But prosecutors say a change of venue is possible but might not be necessary.

“I’m sure that he can get a fair jury in Butte County,” said Butte County District attorney Mike Ramsey. “Particularly since the part that he burned was rather narrow strip in the north of the county. We’ve got a whole bunch of the other county that wasn’t affected.”

Anderson is due back in court on Nov. 12 for a preliminary hearing.

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