Authorities say Sunday’s house fire in south central Emporia was no accident.
Formal charges have been filed against 40-year-old Jesus Hinostroza Jr after fire damaged a bedroom inside 118 West on Sunday afternoon. Hinostroza now faces single counts of aggravated arson and interference with law enforcement, along with two counts of battery on law enforcement.
Hinostroza’s first court appearance is at 1:15 pm Wednesday.
Documents on the Kansas District Court Public Access Portal indicate Hinostroza lit a fire in a home where Jesus Hinostroza Sr and Olga Hinostroza were inside at the time, hence the aggravated arson charge. He is also accused of “unlawfully and knowingly causing physical contact” with two Emporia Police officers and with obstructing the enforcement process during the incident.
Emporia Fire has said there was fire and heavy smoke as they arrived Sunday afternoon. The fire was limited to the bedroom, but there was smoke throughout the house and firefighters also had to dig inside a ceiling to find hot spots. All told, the fire caused an estimated $30,000 in damage. Lyon County records indicate the appraised value for the property is around $33,200.
