Ferdinand apartment fire deliberately set; occupant arrested

Ferdinand — David J. Wilmes, 35, of 624 W. Ninth St., Apt. 110, Ferdinand, was arrested Monday morning and charged with a Level 4 felony count of attempted arson.

Ferdinand firefighters responded to Wilmes’ apartment in the complex owned by Brad Brosmer, of Huntingburg, Monday at about 12:52 a.m.

Responding firefighters evacuated the two-story structure and were able to knock the flames down before the fire got out of control. The oxygen-starved fire was further hampered by a damaged hot water heater water line that doused the flames with water.

After handling the flames, firefighters noticed a suspicious pour pattern in the apartment and notified the Indiana State Fire Marshal’s Office.

The investigator found a pour pattern on the floor from the accelerant used during the fire. It went from the living room to the bedroom and then to the kitchen. An empty can of Coleman camping fuel was apparently dropped on the floor next to the couch.

Lindauer stated Wilmes seemed disoriented at the scene of the fire and a witness reported that Wilmes had walked to a nearby relative’s home and said, “I think my apartment’s on fire.”

State Fire Marshal investigator arrested Wilmes at about 10 a.m. after their investigation determined the fire had a been deliberately set.

Four trucks and 24 firefighters were on scene for about two and a half hours. The Dubois County Sheriff’s Department, Ferdinand Police Department and Memorial Hospital Emergency Medical Services also assisted at the scene.

Lindauer said the apartment should be repairable and the only other damages were some light smoke in the adjoining apartments. He did not have an estimate available on damages.

Jim O’Neal, WITZ AM/FM News Director contributed to this report