Photo: Courtesy Areawide Media
A Fulton County man, 30-year-old Donald Lee Mefford Jr. of Salem, has been charged with arson, a Class Y felony, following a fire at an unoccupied house Monday. Class Y felonies are the most serious class of crime in Arkansas not punishable by death.
According to the probable cause affidavit, law enforcement and emergency personnel responded to a fully engulfed house fire shortly afternoon 9 Monday morning along Byron Road in Salem.
A white male was observed at the scene “acting strange running around.”
Through a conversation with neighbors, it was learned the man, later identified as Mefford, had been observed going into the burning house and taking things.
In a post Miranda interview, Mefford allegedly admitting to starting the fire. He told law enforcement he lit a cloth with a cigarette lighter and placed it inside a dresser inside the residence.
He reportedly said he waited approximately 10 minutes when he new the fire had spread and called 911.
Bond for Mefford was set at $5,000, with a notation from Judge Larry Kissie that the sheriff may change, if needed.
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