It is hereby declared to be unlawful for any person maliciously to set fire to any gas or oil escaping from wells, broken or leaking mains, pipes, valves, tanks or other appliances used by any person or corporation in conveying gas or oil, or to interfere in any manner with the wells, pipes, mains, gate boxes, valves, stopcocks, or other appliances, machinery or property of any person or corporation engaged in furnishing gas or oil, unless employed by or acting under the authority and direction of any such person or corporation owning or operating said gas or oil lines, or the proper legal authorities.
R.L.1910, § 4330.