News

Renter set fire that destroyed his home, police say

Russell

By Lightning Reports, Published: August 1, 2019

FLETCHER — A renter who was living at a home that was destroyed by a fire Wednesday night set the blaze, Fletcher police said.

The Fletcher Fire Department responded to a call at 6:24 p.m. for a house fire at 1 Silent Springs Road. Other area fire departments provided mutual aid in assisting to extinguish the fire. Brian Scott Russell, 46, was renting the residence and was the only person home at the time the fire occurred. Because of the intensity of the fire, the fire reignited nine hours after the first call and firefighters were dispatched to extinguish the blaze for a second time. No injuries occurred at either call.
The Fletcher Police Department and the Henderson County Fire Marshal's conducted an investigation into the cause of the fire. Thursday afternoon, after a detailed interview by detectives, investigators determined that Russell intentionally started the fire in the home.
Russell was arrested and charged with second-degree arson and was jailed in  the Henderson County Detention Facility under a $25,000 bond.