COLUMBUS, Ind. – A local man is in jail following a fire set at a commercial building under renovation on Friday.
On July 11, the Columbus Police Department(CPD) and the Columbus Fire Department(CFD) were called to the 1800 block of 22nd Street at 1:58 p.m. for a possible structure fire. The caller said a man started a fire and then left on a bicycle, giving a description.
CPD officers and CFD firefighters arrived quickly. Fortunately, witnesses we able to put out most of the fire with extinguishers. Based on what was found at the scene, construction material, including oil and tar paper, had been set on fire against the building, causing damage to the siding. Investigators also found flammable materials that appeared to be staged in another place outside the building ready to be lit.
Officers found David Frank, 66 of Columbus, nearby matching the description the witness provided. Officer noted oil and ash on his clothing. When investigating further, officers believe Frank was responsible for a vehicle fire from earlier in the week, as well.
Frank was arrested and preliminarily charged with two counts of arson, level 6 felonies.
Frank remains in the Bartholomew County Jail.
All charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
