A Man Spent 19 Years on a Halloween Installation That Was Set on Fire Out of Envy (3 photos)

British man Stan Iannetta had been creating the attraction for charity for the past 19 years. However, on the night of last Thursday, October 23rd, his work was completely destroyed by criminals.





The 64-year-old British man looked out his apartment window and saw his work engulfed in flames. Firefighters extinguished the blaze, and police have evidence of arson, Chronicle Live reports.

The man said he learned of the fire from his brother, who knocked on his door around 11 p.m. He says he immediately realized something was wrong, but what he saw shocked him.

"It was horrific. The entire installation, from start to finish, burned completely. I'm devastated, I cried all night. 'Devastated' is an understatement. I'm destroyed! I thought, 'Why me? Why did they do this?' Everyone says, 'Why did they target Stan?' Everyone knows what I do," the man sadly admits.

The man says the flames damaged the roof of his garage, the rear windows of his apartment, and the front porch of a neighboring house. Mr. Iannetta suspects his work was clearly "in the way" of someone.



Reports indicate that Stan began creating a Halloween installation in his front garden with his friend, Richie Ames, 57, who lives nearby. Over the years, it grew larger and larger until it reached 70 feet (21.3 meters).

The couple placed buckets near the installation to collect donations. They then transformed it into a Christmas decoration and continued to raise funds for three charities: Tiny Lives, Stopping Unsafe Relationships Together (SURT), and Pawz for Thought.

"It's all for the kids. I can't do anything for Christmas—I have nothing left. That's it. Yesterday, a firefighter I didn't even know said to me, 'I feel so sorry for you. We were supposed to come tomorrow with the kids.' So many people come to see it on Halloween. It's a huge attraction because it's free. Yesterday, I was ready for the opening, checking to make sure everything was working. I even bought a bunch of tickets for the prize draw. And now it's all gone," the Brit says frankly.

His friend Rich says this act is insane and disgusting, because with it, unknown individuals "killed Halloween and Christmas." This act by unknown individuals has effectively destroyed the exhibition for the first time in 20 years.



"We've been doing this for 19 years and never had any problems. I'm devastated, but Stan is just broken. It's all gone. I think this is the end. We'll never recover from this. I don't understand why anyone would do something like this. Stan is the most sincere person you'll ever meet. He owns a garage in town, and he's always helping others. He does everything for everyone," says Mr. Iannetta's friend frankly.

Police and firefighters have now confirmed the fire. A law enforcement official confirmed that cops are currently asking local residents to provide security footage and statements about the perpetrators, who are suspected of intentionally setting the fire.