By LISA SIMPSON STRANGE
GLASGOW — There is still no official link in a series of arson fires that were set around the city of Glasgow in late December and the first half of January.
Glasgow Police arrested Stephen Lee Frazier, 29, of Glasgow, on Jan. 15 and charged him with third-degree arson after he tried to flee the scene of two fires on Leslie Avenue that night. He remains in custody in the Barren County Correction Center on $2,500 bond. No further court dates have been set in the case. The preliminary hearing in this case was on Jan. 23. This case has not yet appeared before a grand jury.
The Glasgow Fire Department and the Glasgow Police Department are still investigating the rash of fires, according to a joint statement released Tuesday afternoon.
“The two departments have been working together on this investigation in order to obtain additional information,” said Capt. Kent Keen, GPD public information officer. “Investigators have been interviewing people and following possible leads as recently as this week.”
The series of 14 fires began Dec. 30 when members of the Glasgow Fire Department were called to 207 North Lewis St. at 3:30 p.m. where an outbuilding and fence at the back of the property were on fire.
A day later on New Year’s Eve, firefighters responded to a fire call at 135 Park Ave. at 9:30 p.m. where someone had set a couch on fire in front a business. Less than five hours later at around 2:15 a.m. New Year’s Day, a 1999 Saturn behind 137 Park Avenue was set ablaze.
Later on Jan. 1, firefighters responded to a rubbish fire behind Atmos Energy, 200 North Broadway, at 9:15 p.m. They found a pallet with a cardboard box and its contents on fire.
On Jan. 2 around 3:30 a.m., members of the fire department responded to a storage building on fire at 317 Columbia Ave. behind the former E.B. Terry Elementary School. While firefighters were still on the scene of that fire, another one was discovered in a house at 301 Ford Drive. The structure was fully engulfed when they arrived and was deemed a total loss. Approximately an hour later at 4:30 a.m., a trash bin was found burning behind Houchen’s Market at 425 Happy Valley Road.
There was almost a two-week lull before more fires were set on Jan. 14 and 15. On Jan. 14, a trash fire was ignited at 11:45 p.m. at 606 Columbia Ave. Then units of the Glasgow Fire Department responded at 12:15 a.m. when a shed fire at 113 Ivy St. was reported. Firefighters located another small fire a short distance away at 106 Grandview Ave. about an hour later at 1:14 a.m. The fire was at the rear of a garage on the property and was quickly extinguished. At 2:45 a.m. a trash fire at 217 Bryan St. was set. Around 3 a.m. the same morning, an occupied residence at 121 Cedar St. was burned after a fire that was started in a vehicle under a carport spread to the home.
Wilburn and Brenda Deaton and sons, Christopher Deaton and Jeff Combs, rented the house. Wilburn Deaton was transported to T.J. Samson Community Hospital due to existing health issues and was released. All occupants were able to exit the home without injuries, but the house with all its contents was a total loss.
The following night, on Jan. 15, the Glasgow Fire Department was called to a structure fire at 302 Leslie Ave. around 10 p.m. The original caller to 911 said a person was seen fleeing the scene, according to officials with the fire department. Firefighters found a garage fully involved when they arrived. The structure and a 2006 Harley Davidson motorcycle stored inside were destroyed. A car parked outside the garage was also damaged.
While on the scene, the fire department received a call for another fire nearby at 404 Leslie Ave. Firefighters responded and found a trash can burning and quickly extinguished the blaze.
Police officers were assisting the fire department at the scene and observed a subject running from the area. After a short foot pursuit, Frazier was apprehended and taken into custody. He was arrested and charged with fleeing or evading police and resisting arrest along with the third-degree arson charge.
Glasgow police and fire officials, the State Fire Marshal’s Office and local Arson Task Force officials are continuing to investigate the fires.
“We would like to remind citizens that there is still a reward of up to $1,000 for the arrest and conviction of person or persons who may be connected to these crimes,” Keen said.
Anyone having information related to these crimes can call the Glasgow Police Department at 651-5151 or the Target Arson hotline at (800)-27ARSON. All information regarding cases under investigation is confidential.
