Associated Press
CASEYVILLE, Ill. — A Metro East fire chief says he’s troubled by accusations that one of his volunteers intentionally set fires, perhaps out of boredom.
St. Clair County prosecutors have charged 19-year-old Nicholas Hiatt of Caseyville with three arson counts.
Authorities say the fires at two vacant homes and a garage occurred between January 2nd and January 10th.
No one was injured.
Hiatt was a firefighter in State Park Place, an unincorporated community that straddles Madison and St. Clair counties.
State Park Place Fire Chief Terry Guffey believes Hiatt just wanted to fight fires, so he set some.
Court records don’t show any record that Hiatt has an attorney, and there’s no telephone listing for him.
© 2008 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.