A juvenile has been referred for possible criminal charges after a house fire in central Emporia last month.
Emporia Fire Marshal Stephen Beemer says the fire in the 1100 block of Constitution on Sept. 20 had evidence of incendiary materials, indicating it was intentionally set.
Beemer says there was an active fire when they arrived on scene and crews “acted swiftly to bring the incident under control,” although the fire flared up a second time before crews could begin investigating the cause.
Emporia Fire will not release any additional information about the juvenile. Formal charges are currently pending.
This is the latest of several arson or attempted cases to develop in Emporia this summer and fall:
*Michael Roy Johnson is accused of trying to set an SUV belonging to somebody else on fire as part of an alleged incident Sept. 13. Besides attempted arson, Johnson faces single counts of criminal damage, criminal deprivation of property, driving under the influence of alcohol and traffic counts.
*Mitchell Lindsey is awaiting sentencing Nov. 10 after pleading no contest to attempted arson after an incident at the College Apartments, 132 West 12th, on July 17.
*David J Anderson faces six counts, including attempted aggravated arson and kidnapping, after an alleged incident in the 800 block of Merchant in early September. He has a preliminary hearing Oct. 29.
*An arson case against Uriel Sevilla is on hold for a competency examination. He has been accused of setting a fire inside 10 West Grill + Dive Bar on July 18. Future proceedings are pending.
