A man who allegedly set fire to his own home in White County and then left the area for almost two weeks is now in jail.
The State Insurance and Fire Safety Commissioner's Office said James Christopher Hughes, 63, of Cleveland was arrested on Tuesday, May 12 on charges of criminal damage to property in the second degree.
Hughes is accused of setting fire to the residence on Campbell Street on April 29.
"This fire could have been very tragic due to the fact that people were home at the time that it was intentionally set. Not only is this act illegal, it often times puts lives in extreme danger,” said Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner John F. King.
Investigators with the Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner’s assisted the City of Cleveland Fire Department and the White County Sheriff’s Office with this investigation.
At last report, Hughes remained in jail on a $5,000 bond.
