Landlord’s devastation as ex-tenant Travis Kelvin Mozer set uninsured home up in flames

A Gatton man has fronted court for setting his old rental home ablaze — in a costly move for the landlord, the court heard, who didn’t realise his insurance had lapsed.

A crime scene was declared at a house fire on Old College Road in Gatton on June 2.

A Gatton man has fronted court for setting his old rental home ablaze — in a costly move for the landlord, the court heard, who didn’t realise his insurance had lapsed until it was too late.

Gatton resident Travis Kelvin Mozer, 23, pleaded guilty to one count of arson in Ipswich District Court on April 12.

The court heard Mozer had been at a house on June 2, 2021, where he had previously stayed as a tenant.

Judge Alexander Horneman-Wren said Mozer and others were having a bonfire in a contained area away from the house.

Later in the afternoon, however, Mozer set fire to some of his own possessions underneath the house – and the fire quickly spread upwards.

Crown prosecutor Caitlin Thompson tendered photos of extensive damage to the house, which the owner estimated would cost $90,000 to $110,000 to repair.

The court heard the fire also completely destroyed a boat the owner had been keeping at the back of the house, which had been bought for $13,500.

Travis Kelvin Mozer, 23, leaving Ipswich Courthouse on April 12, 2023. Picture: Nicola McNamara

Ms Thompson explained that the property was owned by two individuals – one of whom was responsible for insuring the place.

Unknown to the other owner, the landlord, the insurance for the home had lapsed at the time of the fire.

Ms Thompson said the landlord had no idea until he went to claim insurance for the fire and was refused.

His impact statement explained how he would now have to completely replace the floors, some of the walls, the wiring systems, and then repaint the house.

“Although it is extensively damaged underneath, my only choice is to repair it,” he stated.

The court heard that after the fire started to spread, Mozer returned to the caravan where he had been staying at the time.

Police later attended to conduct welfare checks on other residents – not knowing Mozer had any involvement with the housefire.

A crime scene was declared at a house fire on Old College Road in Gatton on June 2.

However, Mozer confessed to them what he had done – and the court heard this was the only reason the Crown had enough evidence to prosecute him.

Defence barrister Scott Neaves said his client had struggled previously with addiction to meth, but had now stopped using the drug and moved back in with his mother.

He said Mozer had not reoffended since October 2021 or breached his bail, and had also started working for a German sausage vendor.

“When he says he’s cleaned his act up, that appears to be consistent with his conduct,” Mr Neaves said.

Judge Horneman-Wren noted Mozer “obviously” needed personal deterrence from this kind of offending, as he had a previous minor arson conviction on his criminal history.

However, he acknowledged that actual imprisonment would likely detract from Mozer’s rehabilitation efforts, rather than assisting them.

Mozer was sentenced to three years imprisonment with immediate parole release.