Teenager charged in arson fires
Published 10:14 am Wednesday, April 22, 2009
PROCTORVILLE — Charges were filed Tuesday against a Proctorville area teen in connection with three structure fires that occurred this month.
A juvenile court date has been set for Thursday.
The 17-year-old is facing two counts of arson, a fourth degree felony; three counts of breaking and entering, a fifth degree felony; and an additional first-degree misdemeanor count of arson.
“He initially was a witness and came forward as a witness and through interviews made statements that implicated himself,” Shane Cartmill, public information officer for the division of state fire marshal, said.
The first fire destroyed an abandoned house at 628 Township Road 86 on April 7. The second destroyed another abandoned house at 697 Township Road 86 on April 11; and the third damaged an outside shed at 628 Township Road 86 on April 14.
The charges were filed by the state fire marshal’s office. Cartmill said he couldn’t comment as far as motive or means since it is an ongoing investigation.