Two men are facing arson charges after authorities say they started a fire inside a vacant building in Texarkana, Texas to stay warm.
Two men are facing arson charges after authorities say they started a fire inside a vacant building in Texarkana, Texas to stay warm.
According to a probable cause affidavit, 54-year-old David Ray Mitchell and 53-year-old Roger Von Deese allegedly broke pieces off a handrail to use as fuel for a fire inside a vacant structure in the 1800 block of North Robison Road on January 28. Smoke was reportedly seen coming from the front doors of the building, which was previously occupied by Cash Out Texas.
Police say Mitchell was inside the building when officers arrived and told them he was trying to stay warm and had poured water on the fire to put it out. The men reportedly told officers they had been staying in the building for three days due to snow and ice and found the door unlocked.
If convicted, both men face six months to two years in a state jail. The cases have been assigned to Fifth District Judge Bill Miller.
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