Man arrested for December arson

A 23-year-old man is in the Butler County jail facing arson charges related to a house fire on Dec. 27.

Jonathan Crumley was arrested last week by the Missouri State Fire Marshal’s office, said Poplar Bluff Fire Chief Mike Moffitt. Crumley is scheduled to appear in court Friday for a bond reduction hearing.

Crumley reportedly told bystanders the morning of the incident that he set the fire. Moffitt said the fire marshal tracked down the witnesses and then found Crumley, who confessed to the fire marshal. Crumley was allegedly upset because he was told to leave the residence.

“I am glad they got him off the street,” Moffit said.

Firefighters from the three stations responded to 128 W. McKinley St. on the morning of the fire. A crowd of about 20 onlookers also gathered at the scene.

In Capt. Jonathan Miller’s report from the day of the fire, light smoke was showing when they arrived. He observed a window and the glass in the back door were broken. Firefighters did not know if the occupant, Austin McIntire, was in the house.

“Flames could be seen in the middle of the house,” Miller said.

Firefighters entered through the front door, attacking the fire and quickly extinguishing it with 50 gallons of water. The crew of eight firefighters conducted primary and secondary searches, but found no one in the structure.

Moffitt explained there were burn patterns on the couch and the carpet. McIntire reported the suspect had made threats about burning the house and had stated to other witnesses he had set the house on fire.

Due to the structure being unsecured and reports from witnesses about a man admitting to setting the fire, Battalion Chief Jeff Hale requested an investigator from the Missouri State Fire Marshal’s office.