PARAGOULD, Ark. — A Paragould man has been charged with arson and other felonies after a house fire that left a residence on North Seventh Street heavily damaged and endangered more than 10 pets.
Joshua A. Weaver was arrested following an investigation into the April 28 blaze, which caused fire, smoke, and water damage to a home in the 600 block of North Seventh Street. Authorities said the fire appeared to have multiple points of origin.
Emergency responders found more than 10 cats and dogs inside the residence at the time of the fire. Officials have not released the condition of the animals.
According to a probable cause affidavit, Weaver was the last known person at the home prior to the incident. He allegedly made incriminating statements the same day and falsely accused another individual of starting the fire. Surveillance footage later confirmed the person he accused was at another location at the time.
Investigators reviewed surveillance video from the area that showed a person believed to be Weaver fleeing the residence around the time the fire was set.
During a mirandized interview on May 5, Weaver reportedly made additional incriminating statements about the fire. Authorities also noted that Weaver had previously been questioned as a suspect in another arson case.
Weaver faces three charges: arson, a Class B felony; aggravated cruelty to an animal, a Class D felony; and filing a false report with law enforcement, a Class D felony. Judge Dan Stidham set bail at $25,000 cash only. A no-contact order is also in place.
All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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