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Benson man charged in arson
Thelma Grimes/San Pedro Valley News-Sun
Benson resident Marcus Russell was held over on a $500,000 bond last week after allegedly setting fire to a manufactured home where two women and children were sleeping.
Benson Police Lt. Paul Moncada said they received an emergency call around midnight that a home located on the 800 block of McNeil Street had been set on fire.
"Officers got there and noticed a trail of fire leading to the back," Moncada said. "The officers found the source and put it out, and then found evidence of an accelerant."
Benson Fire Chief Keith Spangler said emergency crews were lucky to get there as fast as they did, because a fire like that could have gone up quickly injuring the people inside and igniting other homes in the area.
"We know that an ignitable liquid was used to start the corner of the trailer on fire," Spangler said. "All the fire did was burn some of the skirting; the fire never reached the walls or the floor of the home."
Moncada said after conducting interviews, police arrested Russell on charges of arson of an occupied structure.
Judge Joe Knoblock, the Benson City Magistrate, set Russell's bond at $500,000 and set the preliminary hearing for Tuesday, Sept. 2 at 9 a.m.
Knoblock said Russell is currently on probation for other offenses.
Benson resident Marcus Russell was held over on a $500,000 bond last week after allegedly setting fire to a manufactured home where two women and children were sleeping.
Benson Police Lt. Paul Moncada said they received an emergency call around midnight that a home located on the 800 block of McNeil Street had been set on fire.
"Officers got there and noticed a trail of fire leading to the back," Moncada said. "The officers found the source and put it out, and then found evidence of an accelerant."
Benson Fire Chief Keith Spangler said emergency crews were lucky to get there as fast as they did, because a fire like that could have gone up quickly injuring the people inside and igniting other homes in the area.
"We know that an ignitable liquid was used to start the corner of the trailer on fire," Spangler said. "All the fire did was burn some of the skirting; the fire never reached the walls or the floor of the home."
Moncada said after conducting interviews, police arrested Russell on charges of arson of an occupied structure.
Judge Joe Knoblock, the Benson City Magistrate, set Russell's bond at $500,000 and set the preliminary hearing for Tuesday, Sept. 2 at 9 a.m.
Knoblock said Russell is currently on probation for other offenses.
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