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AUTHORITIES: GRANTON HOUSE FIRE WAS ARSON
Thursday, October 15th, 2009 -- 10:32 am
Posted by Riley Hebert-News Director
Authorities say a fire that severely damaged a home near Granton early Tuesday morning was set intentionally.
46-year-old Timothy Olson of Loyal has been charged with Arson with Intent to defraud.
The Granton Fire Department was called to the scene of the fire, located across USH 10 from Tractor Central, formerly Kohel Power, just south of the Village of Granton, early Tuesday morning.
The blaze caused significant damage to the home.
Authorities interviewed Olson later that day. He first denied involvement, but later admitted to setting the fire. He explained his girlfriend owned the home. He said they wanted to move in together, but didn’t want to pay for two houses.
He said he didn’t tell his girlfriend, but planned to set fire to the home so the insurance company would pay for it.
According to the criminal complaint, Olson entered the home at around 2:30 a.m. He manipulated some wires in an outlet and dumped lighter fluid on it. Then, he lit the fluid with a lighter.
Olson is free on a $5,000 signature bond. His initial appearance is scheduled for Thursday, October 29th at 3:20 p.m.
Arson carries a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison and $100,000 in fines.
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