Arson suspect in custody

Published 11:53 pm Monday, March 19, 2012

By Fred Guarino

The Selma Times-Journal

 

CAMDEN — Bond has been set at $75,000 for an arson suspect in connection with a house fire last Wednesday in Camden.

Steve Holmes, public information officer for the state Fire Marshal’s Office, said an investigation led to the Thursday arrest of 36-year-old Kimu A. Craig of Camden, who was charged with arson-first degree, a Class A felony, which carries a sentence of from 10 years to life.

Holmes said the house was occupied by Craig’s estranged girlfriend at the time, who escaped without injury.

The Camden Volunteer Fire Department was called to 75 Eastwood Drive shortly after 5 p.m., Holmes said. Upon arrival, the fire was well involved resulting in extensive damage, he said.

A subsequent investigation by the Alabama State Fire Marshal’s office, Camden Volunteer Fire Department and Camden Police Department determined the fire to have been deliberately set.

Holmes said the reason arson was suspected couldn’t be released at this time due to the pending litigation.

The alleged Arson appears to have stemmed from an ongoing domestic dispute, Holmes said.

Lowndes County Sheriff Earnest Evans said Craig remained in the county jail on a bond of $75,000.