Arson, burglary charges filed in Holts Summit fire
Callaway County prosecutors have charged a man with burglary and arson after he allegedly broke into a home and poured gas on the carpet to start a fire.
Robert A. Hodge was charged Thursday with second-degree arson and second-degree burglary. The Holts Summit Fire Protection District was sent to a house fire on Broadacre Drive on Monday. The home had heavy fire and smoke damage inside.
Investigators determined someone had smashed a window and was cut by broken glass on the way inside, according to a probable cause statement from the Callaway County Sheriff’s Office. The fire had been started using gasoline in several rooms, the statement said, the remains of a plastic gas can were found near the front door.
The fire was reported by a neighbor who lives across the street, who also has a video recording system on his home, the statement said. Investigators said they were able to identify Hodge from the recording.
Hodge was not in custody Friday morning.
