January 25, 2008 - Fire Investigators arrest arsonist who set Caddo Heights fire

Investigators use K-9 Unit

Shreveport Fire Investigators have arrested Charles Edward Clark of Shreveport for the January 18 arson fire at 1836 Rainwater Street. Firefighters were called to the home just after 6:00 a.m. that morning and arrived to find heavy smoke and fire coming from the single story structure. Occupants Cortez Williams, 29, an unidentified adult female, and a one-year old were able to escape unharmed. The fire consumed two rooms and broke through the roof before firefighters brought it under control at 6:53 a.m.

Williams told fire investigators that he heard something strike the home and went outside to investigate and saw fire traveling up the corner of the residence. Investigators using their trained accelerant K-9 found evidence that the fire was intentionally set. Because there were occupants inside the structure at the time of the fire, Clark is being charged with aggravated arson - a felony that carries a prison sentence of 6-20 years of hard labor and a $25,000 fine. Investigators believe that the fire was set in retaliation over a domestic dispute involving money.