Just before 6 a.m., Evansville firefighters responded to a house fire in the 1800 block of Stinson Avenue. They arrived to find heavy flames on the back porch spreading into the home through an exterior door and window. Crews brought the fire under control in less than 30 minutes.

Everyone inside escaped before firefighters arrived, and crews rescued several family pets. Two civilians were injured, and the fire displaced four adults and three children.

Reviewing the evidence

Evansville Fire Department investigators interviewed witnesses and reviewed footage from residential security cameras and Flock license plate reader cameras. Together, the evidence showed the fire was intentionally set.

Arson charges filed

Investigators arrested a 33-year-old man and charged him with arson resulting in serious bodily injury, arson resulting in bodily injury, arson on a dwelling, and criminal recklessness. With help from Flock license plate reader camera data, fire investigators gathered evidence that supported the arson case and helped provide answers for a displaced family.