Two Maries County men accused of arson
BELLE, Mo. (KMIZ)
The Maries County Sheriff's Office says two men turned themselves on Thursday accused suspected of starting a house fire in Belle.
Chad and Cody Faulkner were both booked into the Maries County Jail on Thursday, both are charged with second-degree arson. A Facebook post from the sheriff's office says the men were suspected of arson at the 1100 block of Parkview Drive on Dec. 19.
Maries County Sheriff Chris Heitman said Chad formerly worked at the sheriff's office and was a personal friend. Heitman said he was disappointed by Chad's actions.
"I fully support the fire marshal's Investigation, and due to my relationship with the family my office has stayed out of the investigation," Heitman said.
Heitman said more charges are possible in the case.
Belle authorities responded to the fire just before 11 p.m. Belle fire chief Dwight Francis said it took an hour to get the fire under control. Francis called the residence a complete loss after the fire was under control. Firefighters were on scene until 3 a.m. Dec. 20. Belle Marshal Joe Turnbough said no one was home at the time of the fire.
The state fire marshal recommended charges for the Faulkner's after an investigation at the residence.
Online court records show both men face charges of second-degree arson. The Faulkners are being held in the Maries County Jail on a $5,000 bond.
