ARCADIA — An Arcadia man and an unidentified juvenile are facing multiple charges after a house fire last month was ruled an arson.
Multiple departments responded to the fire in the 100 block of East South Street on Jan. 21. Two days later, investigators and the Indiana State Fire Marshal's office ruled the fire an arson.
Online court records show Corbin Lee Messer, 18, of Arcadia is charged with arson, institutional criminal mischief and criminal mischief.
He and the juvenile suspect are accused of causing more than $50,000 in damages to the home.
Arcadia police found a home ablaze while responding about 8 p.m. the night of the fire. A door on the home's west side was insecure,
and at some point the evening before, someone had knocked out an upstairs window, according to a probable cause affidavit.
Messer had set the fire to a couch because he was upset over a breakup, the affidavit alleges.
In an interview with police, Messer admitted to setting the couch on fire using cardboard and wood and said another person started a fire on the home's second floor.
Jail records show Messer was arrested Thursday and is in jail on a $150,000 bond. The Jackson Township Fire Department says the juvenile is currently detained at the Hamilton County Juvenile Services Center.
The department says numerous tips helped with the investigation.
If you saw anything suspicious or have any information regarding this fire, please contact Jackson Township Fire Department at 317-984-3443 or email the details to fireinvestigations@jacksonfire.us. If you would like to remain anonymous, please call the Indiana Crime Stoppers Hotline at 800-222-8477(TIPS).
-
Drew Brees returns to Purdue for the school's 25-year Rose Bowl reunion
Drew Brees returned to Purdue's campus Saturday to celebrate his greatest college feat, and, as with the team he led 25 years ago, he had plenty of friends giving an assist.
Clergy unite in Indianapolis to support communities in crisis
National civil rights leader Bishop William Barber joins Indiana clergy to confront poverty, injustice and strengthen support for struggling communities.
Avon and Brownsburg face off in rivalry game of the year
Brownsburg defeated Avon 55‑47 in their showdown, but for both sides, the game was about more than just the final score — it was about community, pride and tradition.
No. 22 Indiana win 73-0 over overmatched Indiana State
Indiana (3-0) allowed only 77 yards in its largest shutout victory since a 78-0 romp over Franklin on Oct. 19, 1901.
