Shelbyville, Indiana – An early morning fire that injured one person and sent one to the hospital was allegedly started by a Shelbyville man who has now been arrested for arson.
Around 4:30 on Monday morning, Shelbyville Fire Department personnel were called to a structure fire in the 800 block of South Miller Avenue. SFD reported that when personnel arrived, they discovered numerous burning apartments and mobile homes.
Firefighters launched an initial attack on the blaze, according to SFD, and then planned a search for any surviving residents after they were quickly evacuated. Two civilian injuries were reported; one was treated on-site, while the other was sent to a major hospital.
25 firefighters attended to the wildfire in total, assisted in putting it out, and stopped it from spreading to neighboring buildings. There were no cited firefighter injuries.
An investigation into the daylong fire was started when authorities from the State Fire Marshall’s Office and the Shelbyville Police Department met with SFD arson investigators.
According to SFD, the inquiry helped officials locate Zachary Tyler Smothers, a resident of Shelbyville who is 21 years old.
Smothers was detained, according to SFD, and is accused of starting a fire that injured someone other than the defendant.
According to SFD, the 21-year-old was booked into the Shelby County Jail Monday about 4 p.m. On May 16, 1:30 p.m. is the time for his first court appearance.
