Man sentenced in motel room explosion

February 28, 2014 | 2:34 p.m.

A Fountain Valley man was sentenced to 33 years to life in state prison for causing an explosion that started a fire in a motel room, according to authorities.

In addition to his prison time, Thanh Van Quang, 39, was ordered to pay more than $177,000 in restitution, according to a press statement from the Orange County district attorney's office.

A jury found him guilty Oct. 30, 2013, on one count each of arson of an inhabited property and possession of a flammable material.

Last year's incident marked the fifth conviction for Quang. He had four strikes in 1998 for voluntary manslaughter, assault with a firearm and two counts of robbery, according to the statement.

On Nov. 30, 2012, Quang was arguing with the manager at the Pueblo Motel in Santa Ana about the defendant inviting guests in his room.

He later walked to a nearby gas station, bought a fuel canister and filled it with a gallon of gasoline before he returned to his motel room.

Quang then caused an explosion in the room, which started a fire and damaged his room and neighboring rooms.

Anthony Clark Carpio

Twitter: @acocarpio

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Man sentenced in motel room explosion