The Kansas Parole Board has denied parole for a man who set an arson fire two decades ago that killed a Lawrence firefighter.

David Winebrenner, age 21 at the time of the 1986 fire, is now in his early 40s and serving a life sentence for the death of firefighter Mark Blair. He came up for parole earlier this year, but firefighters went before the parole board to plead that he not be released.

His next chance for parole will be in June 2009.

Winebrenner set fire to his parents’ home on 3028 Rimrock Drive while they were sleeping inside. His father told the parole board that it was because he was angry about not being able to drive the family’s brand-new truck.

The Winebrenners escaped from the home unharmed, but a roof beam collapsed and killed 34-year-old Blair while he was inside searching for other occupants.