Matthew Ian Zarit, 36, is charged in 3rd District Court with second-degree felony possession of an incendiary device and third-degree felony attempted arson.

Police say that in the early hours of June 2, Zarit brought four five-gallon containers of gasoline mixed with sodium hydroxide to the three-story building at 1901 Prospector Ave.

Zarit placed the gasoline and other items in a hallway, then left to think about what he was doing, he later told police.

Meanwhile, S. Scott Kimche, a dentist who had forgotten to lock up after performing emergency procedures for two patients, returned to lock the building about 12:30 a.m.

"Kimche said during a telephone interview he bumped into a can wrapped in black plastic, detected a kerosene-like smell, then saw fuses, road flares, a clock, wires and electrical clips strewn about. Kimche said he immediately called 911."

In the interim, Zarit claims he changed his mind and intended to retrieve the gas cans, according to police. But when Zarit spotted emergency vehicles parked outside, he left.

Arrested later that day at his Holladay home, Zarit told police he "was going to throw the gasoline on the carpet, starting on the third floor and proceeding to the basement [and that] he had a timing device to ignite the whole building," according to charging documents.

Zarit also admitted wanting to burn down the building for the insurance, charges state.

Park City police Capt. Rick Ryan said Zarit's homemade device would have been effective. And, because sodium hydroxide was added to the gasoline, the resulting fire would have burned hotter and would have been more difficult to put out, he said.

When water hits it, it increases the heat and size of the fire, because it has its own oxygen-gathering abilities," Ryan said. He said Zarit learned what to do from chemistry classes and the Internet.

shunt@sltrib.com