FRANKLIN COUNTY, Mo. – A Sullivan, Missouri, man accused of starting a fire at the apartment building where he lives will appear in court Monday morning.
According to a statement from the Missouri Division of Fire Safety, the fire began around 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, July 20, in the 200 block of East Vine Street.
After extinguishing the blaze, the Sullivan Fire Protection District requested the help of state investigators.
The Sullivan Police Department identified and arrested one of the tenants, Larry M. Franks, at the scene.
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Investigators believe Franks set fire to his own apartment. The fire breached the gypsum board in the bedroom ceiling and spread via the attic space to five other units in the building. The occupant of the fifth apartment was not home at the time of the fire.
The other tenants were not injured.
The Franklin County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office charged Franks with first-degree arson, six counts of knowingly burning or exploding, and five counts of fourth-degree assault. Franks remains jailed without bond.
Sullivan is located approximately 67 miles southwest of St. Louis.
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