Resident Charged With Setting Fire At Group Home

Thursday, January 26, 2012
John Franklin McCuistion
John Franklin McCuistion

A resident at a group home on Milne Street has been charged with setting a fire with seven people in the home at the time.

John Franklin McCuistion, 54, is charged with aggravated arson.

Police said the fire started on a mattress in one of the bedrooms occupied by McCuistion.

Darius Mitchell, house manager, said he heard the fire alarm go off, then he saw McCuistion run out of the house.

He said he asked McCuistion if he set the fire and he admitted he had, saying he was mad. He said he used lighter fluid and a lighter.

Police found a Zippo lighter and a bottle of lighter fluid on the burnt mattress.

He was transported to the hospital for smoke inhalation. No one else had to be treated.

McCuistion was taken to a mental facility for evaluation.


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