COWLEY COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating an alleged arson fire and have made an arrest.
Just after 2a.m. Friday, fire crews were dispatched to the Osage Apartment complex, 100 North Summit Street in Arkansas City, for a report of smoke in the building.
When they arrived, 18-year-old Jaxon Miloy Hofmeister met them, reporting he had smelled smoke and heard a smoke alarm while outside. He told firefighters he thought the smoke was coming from the third floor of the apartment building.
Hofmeister allowed investigating fire-EMS personnel to enter his apartment, where they found a large amount of smoke and evidence of arson. At that time, police were dispatched to the scene.
Officers transported Hofmeister to the police department where he was interviewed by police and a fire investigator. During this interview, he allegedly admitted to setting the fire in the occupied apartment building.
Police arrested Hofmeister subsequently was placed under arrest and transported to the county jail on requested charges that include one felony count of aggravated arson.