13 Year Old Arrested and Charged Following Investigation Into Sunday Night Fort Dodge Apartment Fire

A 13 year old has been arrested and charged with reckless use of fire following an investigation into a Sunday morning apartment fire in Fort Dodge.

According to the Fort Dodge Police Department, an investigation into the fire at 1:18 A.M. Sunday at the Westridge townhomes located in the 300 block of M Street revealed the cause of the fire to be suspicious in nature.

An investigator with the State Fire Marshal’s Office, as well as investigators with the Fort Dodge Police Department and the Fort Dodge Fire Department were called to the scene. Investigators worked the scene, spoke to witnesses, and gathered evidence.

As a result of the investigation an unidentified thirteen year old male has been arrested and transported to Central Iowa Detention in Eldora.

When Fort Dodge Fire Fighters arrived on the scene early Sunday they found occupants escaping the building. No one was injured in the three alarm fire that left 14 people without their homes. Those residents are currently being assisted by the American Red Cross.

As in all matters, the suspect is considered innocent of all charges until proven guilty by a court of law.